The Tamesis
This New York Fashion Week, editors and street style stars are grappling with the challenges of staying stylish in extremely cold conditions. They are unlikely to seek help from the Gaia cult. Each season, designer Jasmin Larian Hekmat creates resort wear for her label, offering summer staples perfect for tropical getaways year-round. (Sounds good now.)
Of course, her new beaded and sculptural dresses for spring were inspired by some of her own far-flung travels. “I was inspired by these old Italian frescoes and the textures you see in them,” said the designer. She also shot her new collection in the Brazilian jungle, using singer Marina Sena as a model.
Many of her signature dresses are based in natural tones and have an earthy texture. A simple cream tank top mini dress was covered in strings of pearls. Another mini dress, made from moss-green pearls, draped over the body like a curtain and had pleats. Her beige sweater, like a sheath maxi dress, featured a three-dimensional floral appliqué on the front, while her actual floral print was a tapestry of blues and browns. It’s reminiscent of a sofa from the 1970s, but still feels modern.
While Cult Gaia’s main focus has always been statement dresses, Hekmat is also trying to inject some simpler pieces into the collection this season. (Hekmat has been trying to offer more everyday wear over the past few seasons.) “I find our pieces are a little too fussy, so I’m happy to be able to pare that down,” says the designer. A chocolate brown crop top is paired with a flowing maxi skirt and finished off with a floral bolo tie. A simple slim-fitting dress with a pleated skirt, and the sky blue color gives it a touch of vitality. These certainly aren’t the most innovative garments you’ll ever come across, but they’re exactly the kind that sell well and that Cult Gaia customers want.
Accessories, meanwhile, further enhance the overall fun and whimsical feel. Hekmat designed heels with removable dahlia flowers, as well as elaborate wicker clutches that you can open and play a game of backgammon. “I want all my work to be more engaging,” she said. “If you go out to eat, you can entertain yourself!”
