Carlota Barrera’s spring collection, titled “Traces,” was born out of a desire to return to a high-fashion touch. “I needed to reconnect with the materiality of clothes, fabrics and bodies,” the designer said; but the collection also testified to the mark of time, and things that have been worn, touched or changed. “Through every fold, wrinkle and dart, these clothes capture the essence of remnants: moments, gestures and experiences that continue to resonate.” These marks, whether intentional or not, confirm our existence and our awareness of those around us. impact on people’s lives.
A series of fluid patterns embody a subtle, almost philosophical touch, effortlessly deconstructed and playing with textures and tactile details. “Seams that were usually functional are now decorative,” Barrera shares. A palette of different shades of summer is also used to evoke the passage of time. “As the sun rises, burnt orange illuminates the horizon, while earth tones like beige and olive green capture the day’s down-to-earth, natural feel. Hand-dyed garments in deep blues and blacks feel like they’ve absorbed the remnants of rain-soaked paths object, as if someone stepped into a puddle and took away its stains,” explained the designer.
Shirts, vests and suits are somewhere between masculine and feminine. “For centuries, menswear has followed very strict codes, often designed to reinforce ideas of power, restraint and unity. I explore the intersection of masculinity and femininity and how these expressions can coexist harmoniously rather than in opposition,” she reflects . The clothes had details that seemed accidental but weren’t: wrinkles, pleated darts and asymmetrically dropped hem cuffs. The designer’s signature slits are now closed with delicate hand-made cross-stitch, and her typically clean lines are adorned with trinkets designed to contain and evoke great emotional value.
