San Francisco Fashion Week '06: Genevieve Primavera
Fairies and couture were the inspiration for designer Mary- Elizabeth Primavera’s Spring 2007 creations, which had a certain pixie feel to them. For 10 years, Primavera worked as a graphic designer, but fashion was always in the back of her mind. She recently found an angel investor who helped finance the new line, created from Primavera’s San Jose, Calif.–based studio.
Gold, gray, black and white were the predominant colors that ruled the runway. Primavera chose sophisticated fabrics, such as dupioni and sheer silks, for her blouses, dresses and ball gowns. Wool was the fabric of choice for her knickers and shorty pants, as well as a halter top lined in charmeuse.
The line had that fairies-gather-for-tea feeling with an abundance of puffed sleeves on blouses and tops. A shiny blue pixie coat with long tails added to the fairy tea party theme. One unusual element Primavera incorporated into her line was faux stirrup pants, where the stirrups came down to mid-calf level in the back, giving the impression of a ride completed after a long day.
