Abaete: Spring / Summer 2008 Collection

Abaete began their fashion label in 2004, under the eye of LauraPoretzky, but it wasn't until Spring 2006 that she had her first showin the famed tents at New York City's Bryant Park during Fashion Week.Very soon after, Abaete was approached by Payless ShoeSource to launchtheir first effort at stocking designer shoes in their stores. ManyHollywood actresses have become customers and fans of Abaete, and withcollections such as their Spring/Summer 2008 Collection, it's easy tosee why. The clothing features a return to an old Hollywood glamor, butcombines that glamor with modern elements and innovations.

Black,white, pink, blue, and beige seem to lead the collection, with theoccasional piece featuring other colors for emphasis. The entirecollection has the palette of Neapolitan ice cream at the beach, whichgives it a summery, yet sophisticated feel. The colors are often keptin a simple arrangement. For example, one dress has black at the top,followed by a white panel, and finishing with a pink hemline. Thecombination is not a difficult one, but that works to its advantage.Also popular throughout the collection are black and white stripedpieces. At least one billowy shirt and a jumpsuit have thin black andwhite stripes throughout the pattern. This seems to be a popular trendthis year, and not just in Abaete's collection, but throughout manydesigner's collections.

My favorite part about the designs isthe way they focus on bring innovative new elements to a retro design.For example, there is one iceberg blue swimsuit that has a rather oldfashioned swim skirt over the top. The style is one that you mightexpect to see in an old Hollywood Esther Williams movie that featuressome amazing synchronized swimming. However the top of the Abaeteswimsuit is thoroughly modern. Its neckline plunges extremely low, andspreads open wide across the chest. In short, old Hollywood would neverapprove of showing that much skin, and the film would have never madeit past the censors. Here in 2007, the piece looks like you found abeautiful old swimsuit and cut it to fit in with today's modern styles.

Abaete's Spring/Summer 2008 collection is certainly a treat,and I cannot wait for the coming spring and summer, when these fashionswill finally be able to the public. With such amazing, vibrant colors,innovative style, and a friendly nod to past glamor, it's going to feellike a very long wait throughout the winter.