Edition by Georges Chakra, Spring 2010
By Carey Faust

As a crayon box of colors, encompassing every single shade of the rainbow in its most vibrant and bold form, strutted fiercely down the runway, the energy that spread throughout the audience was tangible.  The models felt it too, and their walks, poses, and expressions perfectly personified the clothes they wore.  Equally as inspiring was the soundtrack to the show.  When a gospel like voice belted out a rendition of the popular single You’ve Got the Love (featured at the end of the Sex and the City series finale), the lyrics resonated in all ears and souls: “Sometimes I feel like throwin my hands up in the air… I know I can count on you.  Sometimes I feel like sayin, ‘Lord, I just don’t care,’ but you’ve got the love I need to see me through…” Having had the privilege of previewing his Spring 2010 ready-to-wear Edition label, this fashionista knows one thing’s for certain: Georges Chakra’s collection has the love to see me through just about anything.

The garments came to life on the runway, dancing and twirling like confetti in the wind.  Their brilliant hues were reminiscent of everything wonderful: shades of pink from rose petal to bubblegum, yellows from canary to lemon, greens from sea foam to sour apple, blues from clear sky to sapphire.  Silver, leather belts finished off many of the looks, wrapped around twice and secured with colorful satin bows, adding a girly, flirty feel and an interesting pop of color.  

In addition to color, Chakra experimented extensively with texture.  Necklines, backs, and straps were adorned with sparkling jewels, ornate beadwork, and Swarovski crystals, while vertical satin panels added dimension and depth to fitted dresses. Flowing organza trains, chiffon layers, and raw silk pleats balanced out sleek and structured silhouettes.  In contrast to the feminine accents, he played with metal hardware, incorporating gold and copper wire into a number of his looks.  Definitely the most innovative design on display was what I’d call the phantom strap, in which patches of diamonds or sequins seemingly pasted directly onto the body were the only sign that a strap existed.  A variation of this technique involved straps that originated from the back of a gown and were shaped to hook over the shoulders and stop right below the collarbone.  By adding an element of illusion to his aesthetic, Chakra certainly aimed to push the boundaries of fashion and challenge the belief that things are always as they seem.

It is incredibly special for a collection of clothes to possess such energy and vivacity while simultaneously being so approachable.  The woman who wears Edition is without a doubt the life of the party: flirty, feminine, and impeccably fierce, with a confidence that could kill.  Like the designer himself, she is never afraid to think outside of the box.  She is smart, sophisticated, and above all, sassy, and she never passes up the chance to celebrate herself.  Chakra’s Spring collection makes you want to do just that – celebrate yourself – so put on a party dress, and remember, “you’ve got the love.”