DESIGNER
Greta Constantine
Words by Katie Farley
Toronto based duo, Kirk Pickersgill, and Stephen Wong are the creative brainchildren behind Greta Constantine, the accessible yet luxury ready-to-wear women’s fashion line. Originally established in 2006, the label adopted their name from Stephen’s mother, Greta, and Kirk’s grandfather, Constantine. The pairs creative juices are executed at their studio in Toronto, where they conceptualize, explore, and challenge today’s fashion for tomorrow’s women.
Design stimulated by sexuality is the overall result of their signature aesthetic. Albeit, sexuality, and femininity are socially crafted in two dividing parts: ladylike or seductive; prim and pretty or body-skimming and revealing. Noticed amid Greta Constantine’s sophisticatedly seductive sphere, one will witness looks that include a backless top styled with a midi-length, flared skirt or a salmon hue sleeveless dress that arrives boxy with a ruffle hem that barely reaches the upper thighs. The juxtaposition between some of the dresses which hug the female form and the equally flowy dresses mixed with sequin jackets convey elements of masculinity and femininity, simply because, sometimes, you do not want the restrictions of portraying a singular gender.
The brand’s spring/summer 2018 collection transpires as their twenty-third seasonal womenswear showcase and in celebration of this, Greta Constantine is involving musicians Canadian-Girl-Gang amid their New York Fashion Week presentation. An invasion of sequins and high-octane shades delightfully define the designer’s aesthetic for the season. Boyfriend tuxedo pants, track suits and a continuous theme of 80’s glam characterize the collection, amid a series of second-skin sequins that arrive in gold, silver, rose, black and turquoise. A patchwork mini is again emblazoned with gathered sheer sequins with an injection of tulle; Grace Jones is cited through angular and severe proportions on an awe-inspiring sequin jumpsuit, which is juxtaposed with a brash patterned, louche shaped jumpsuit, adorned with gold-and-silver chain links.
It is apparent that the label strives to design for women who desire to be sleek, worldly, empowered and sophisticated, whilst illustrating a contemporary awareness for truly graceful dressing.
