Anna Bolina Imagines Elegant Evening Wear for Downtown New York
The independent designer presents her F/W 2022 collection in a Chinatown mall.
Announcing her Fall/Winter 2022 collection on social media and through word of mouth, Anna Bolina planned a surprisingly sophisticated New York Fashon Week event. Taking place at Whaam! Gallery, she presented 15 looks under her namesake label with deconstructed garments made from luxe materials like leather, fur and feathers; sky-high heels; and dresses that unzip to reveal more.
The models create a strong sense of shock value, but their aggressively sexual elements are well-researched motifs by the fashion designer and multimedia artist. They wore wigs with zippers where hair should part, which is a way to visualize how Anna Bolina’s creations can cause the traditional fashion world to tear open their minds. While fur and hair extensions have appeared in her looks since Anna Bolina started in 2020, this collection includes puffer jackets, which were sewn together for an asymmetrical dress, and a giant championship wrestling belt.
Speaking to casting director Kiernan “Knives” Francis, Anna’s authenticity and perspective sets her apart from other contemporary designers. “Everything she produces is pretty much based on her life and experiences, the clothing feels very immersive in that way. She’s really living what she portrays — it almost feels like storytelling,” says Kiernan. “This is how she dresses when we go out. I tried to cast the kind of people we see at parties that hold a similar authenticity.”
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Select pieces from Anna Bolina are now available to view at Whaam! Gallery until Sunday, March 13 at 6PM EST. To shop her brand or to keep up with her latest projects, follow the designer on Instagram at @annabo1ina.
