With her arresting features and prodigious talent, it’s no wonder that more than 60 years since Frida Kahlo’s passing, her captivating beauty continues to be tagged to designers’ mood boards everywhere. The painter, who was born in Mexico City in 1907, is being celebrated by Lebanese and Brazilian designer duo Ahmad Ammar and Vincenzo Visciglia of UAE-based brand AAVVA, who recently launched a limited-edition streetwear collection as part of its Spring 2017 range paying homage to Kahlo and Mexican culture.
“Art and design are the basis of our creations. Art is always about self-expression; wanting to create something truly unique yet meaningful. Frida Kahlo’s story is artistically inspiring with a strong message to our women,” say the designers. Kahlo’s inimitable style lives on in her striking self-portraits.
Featuring 14 pieces using an array of materials sourced from Visciglia’s home country of Brazil – including neoprene and velvet – the collection reimagines Kahlo with handmade felt patches of the artist sewn onto the hemlines and pockets of dresses, pants, skirts, and tops. A quilted, black, sleeveless romper recalls the full-body cast she had to wear for months following a horrific bus accident when she was a teenager.
Standouts include a long, denim, shirt-dress decorated with handmade Frida Kahlo appliques, worn with a vibrant pom pom belt. A black neoprene gown with flower embroidery could have been plucked straight from the artist’s wardrobe.
Check out the vibrant collection images shared exclusively with Vogue Arabia, featuring the new face of Marc Jacobs Beauty, Rhea Jacobs (equipped with a flower crown and a signature red lip), in the gallery ahead.
