During a summer sojourn in Greece, where he attended a friend’s wedding, David Koma developed a fascination with the country’s ancient artifacts and mythology. As a designer known for dedicating his collections to specific muses, he chose Aphrodite for resort. “She’s an incredible figure with such depth,” Koma shared in a preview. “She possesses the perfect balance of strength and softness.”
Aphrodite is widely celebrated as the goddess of love, but historical references also associate her with the fish symbol, a motif that permeates the collection. Angelfish structures were imaginatively reinterpreted as black crystal embroidery and plexiglass accents adorning the bust and hips of dresses, both individually and in pairs. The graceful form of the koi fish was magnified and embroidered with crystals on a seductive cut-out midi dress. Elsewhere, black silk mesh numbers came alive with vibrant neon prints depicting tropical fish. To accentuate the body’s curves, there were 3D chrome swirls strategically placed on necklines, thigh-slits, and hips of crepe minidresses.
The influence of water—synonymous with Aphrodite’s connection to the ocean, where she is said to have been born—manifested through the use of a transparent, liquid-like sequin fabric in refreshing aqua and pink tones. This was cut into slips, crop tops, and maxi skirts with extended trains. Other sheer moments included body-contouring stretch-silk dresses with silk yarn trimmings, as well as a backless mint crochet knit gown embellished with hundreds of crystals.
Koma reimagined his classic biker jacket in metallic leather shades of pink and aqua; shearling jackets in the same hues added another layer of dimension to the overall silhouettes. Sharply tailored wool jackets and pants in black brought contrast to the collection. “It’s important for me to experiment with juxtapositions,” he asserted. “It’s about placing the strong outerwear shapes with the fluid, femininity of the eveningwear.”
