Avgousta Theodoulou presented her show on 28 September 2019, in Washington D.C., U.S. The show was part of the “Beyond the Little Black Dress” fashion event organized by the Alliance Française of Washington D.C., at the Embassy of France in the U.S. capital.
In this show, Avgousta put her designs in perspective by displaying a sequence composed of elements from her two earlier collections, followed by a new mini-collection that reveals part of the inspiration and experimentation involved in the preparation of her upcoming full collection. Central elements in this collection are her innovative bags, announcing the launch of Avgousta Theodoulou line of accessories.
Description
The show commenced with selected iconic pieces from the “Daedalea” collection that is inspired by the dramatic Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus; then continued with pieces from the “Bodies Out of Frames” collection, which is inspired by the work of sculptors such as Jean-Louis Corby and Isabel Miramontes, as well Blossfeldt’s photographic “Delphinium“.
Her new mini-collection closed the show and set the point of departure for the next creative endeavor. Its inspiration comes from Thomas Houseago’s recent exhibition at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, called “Almost human“. What inspired Avgousta the most is one of his quotes written on a wall:
“In a very general way, you could say there are two approaches in sculpture to the act of making: one tends toward removing traces of the hand and the physical activity of the artist, and the other emphasizes that activity…“
Avgousta creates high-quality luxury garments, meanwhile she emphasizes the traces of the hand by using her innovating hand-making techniques. She dares to highlight the process and the means of human creation that brought each garment to life. Besides, Avgousta’s concepts for shapes and clothes fluctuate between several existential dualities that deep inside compose the fabric and structure of our very existence: forcefulness and fragility, the new and the old, the complex and the simple.
Avgousta’s work wishes to be seen also as a kind of invitation to sensitize the woman of today to reject quantity for quality, to discern that less material objects, when of high-quality and related to human, is actually more. Each of us has the power to change fashion to a more sustainable version, by reconsidering what we ask from it. It’s time to awake from the illusion of fast fashion that excludes the human from the process, creates no feelings, and fades our own personal style. Fashion implies environment, self implies others…
Reception of the work
The show enjoyed a particularly warm reception by the audience. Avgousta received several comments of admiration about her exquisite style and techniques. Above all, many spoke about their strong impression that Avgousta Theodoulou fashion brand has clearly something new and different to say with its fashion statement and distinct identity of high-end aesthetics.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Alliance Française of Washington D.C., the Executive Director Sarah Diligenti, the organization team of the event, and the Board Members (particularly Tracey Duffles and Patrick Gex), for their invitation to participate in the event and all their hospitality.
Finally, we would like to warmly thank the brand Desidei for providing the shoes for our fashion show, and @greek_designers_more who intermediated for that successful sponsorship.
Photo credits: Bill Simmons
Photo editing: Avgousta Theodoulou