Photo credit: www.vogue.com
Cult Gaia’s New Resort Collection: A Whimsical Journey into Fantasy
Jasmin Larian Hekmat, the creative force behind Cult Gaia, infused her latest resort collection with a sense of fantasy and escapism, inspired by visions of a fairytale setting. “It commenced with an image of a castle on the horizon,” she shared. This imaginative narrative sparked a theme for the season: a woman armed with a basket, gathering beautiful elements like strawberries, flowers, and butterflies during her journey. These enchanting objects are woven into the garments, creating a dreamy collection that embodies spontaneity, elegance, and discovery.
For Cult Gaia, known for its vibrant summer attire and playful vacation ensembles, exploring a collection themed around fantasy is a natural evolution. Hekmat’s aim was to enhance the whimsical aspects, introducing sweeter and more playful details than what the brand typically offers. For instance, her maxi dresses featured cascading floral elements draping off the shoulders, along with intricate crocheted designs. Prominently, a striking pink plissé dress showcased a sculpted flower detail at the bust, envisioned as the perfect summer wedding dress—a specialty Hekmat is well versed in providing.
The collection radiated with lively colors, infused with energetic pops of brightness. Hekmat described her approach: “I enjoyed keeping the colors grounded while introducing various vibrant accents, ensuring the wearer feels as grounded as possible.” One notable piece is a mint green dress featuring a draped back and flattering ruching, complemented by a grape-shaped handbag designed to coordinate seamlessly with it. Additional standout accessories include a new clutch inspired by a vase with flowers peeking out, alongside strappy sandals adorned with sculpted lilies. The ingenuity behind these designs stemmed from spontaneity, aligning with the collection’s theme of playfulness, as Hekmat revealed that she started the idea by wrapping a flower from her office around her foot.
While the collection predominantly showcased Cult Gaia’s signature dress styles, it also marked a new direction with a focus on casual attire, including an entry into the denim market. Hekmat acknowledged the importance of diversifying the collection, stating, “Denim is becoming a much bigger part of our offerings.” This shift followed a recent collaboration with Gap, emphasizing the necessity for versatile dressing options beyond traditional special occasions. The new denim pieces include designs featuring bold gold hardware, and the collection also introduces khaki two-piece sets, consisting of cropped, corseted jackets paired with cargo-style pants.
Source
www.vogue.com