Red Carpet Gems from Cote d’Ivoire to LA – Christiane King’s Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

Christiane King was born and raised in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Although she had a strong interest in fashion, it wasn’t a feasible career path for her while in Cote d’Ivoire, so she decided to get a Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade thinking it would be a good way to channel her love for travel. Four years down the line and unimpressed with the offerings of her degree, she moved to the United States.

This move would symbolise the beginning of a new era for her orchestrated by her relocation to the US being four days before her 21st birthday and George .W. Bush had just been named the 43rd President of the United States of America. While in America, Christiane saw the opportunity to become a fashion designer, and ran with it by enrolling at Woodbury University in Los Angeles where she obtained a Bachelors Degree in Fashion Design.

Christiane King launched her first Women’s wear Collection in the Fall of 2006 and her brand has been growing since its inception. Her search for the ultimate platform to showcase her talent and the strength of her creations to a larger public led her to the Project Runway auditions 5 times before she finally made the top sixteen of Season 7 of the television show the 6th time she auditioned.

Project Runway aired on January 14, 2010 and Africa was watching to see what will become of their representative. Although her run in Project Runway was short with an early exit in the first episode; Christiane King is forging ahead with her relentless passion to ensure she makes a name for herself in fashion Industry and is out with a Fall/Winter 2010 collection.

Christiane King attributes her broadened fashion sense to her dual exposure to both the French and American culture which allows her to “draw inspiration from all over and create fashion that the whole world will love’’. However, her greatest source of inspiration is the “woman’s body’’ as her garments are made to cater to the sensibilities of the woman.

My review:

Her Fall/Winter collection stays true to her love for colour which she says “stems from her Ivorian heritage’’ and silks of all weights; organza, chiffon and crepes by featuring floor length garments and cocktail dresses which embody these textures in luxurious jewel tones. Going with a sleek modern silhouette are pieces are flirty and feminine and are tailored to flatter every curve of woman.

She is able to capture the feminine essence of this collection with the delicate rose details at the bodice and ruffles. I love the versatility we see with the floor length garments; from the whimsical ruffled gown to the mermaid style dresses, colour block infusions and solid tone pieces; there’s a dress well suited for every kind of lady. I love the fold details at the bodice of some of her dresses and also at the front skirt of the “Lydie” piece.

This is a collection of gorgeous dresses I hope to see grace the red carpet. I absolutely love the colours, the cuts, and the clean finish to each piece. If I am to pick a favourite piece in this collection, it would have to be “Lolie’’; the strapless cocktail dress with a ruffled silk chiffon skirt paired with a bustier. It’s extremely feminine and elegant.

Visit the Christiane King website HERE:

Credit: Ladybrillemag.com, christianeking.com, Photography Arthur St. John