“A luxurious color explosion,” is how Raquel Allegra described her latest collection at the fall/winter 2016 presentation Friday evening. “Our girl is a cool girl. A girl you’d want to hang out with, knows who she is. She’s playful, fun, sexy from the inside out.”
The Los Angeles-based designer and Berkeley-native continuously pulls inspiration from her California background, and this season is no different, she said. “I just keep coming back to my own personal experience in life. And I think because I have no background in design, I just play.”
Allegra — who grew up turning thrift shop finds into her own creations — made a name for herself with the release of deconstructed L.A. County Jail T-shirts that she transformed into wildly popular shredded, tie-dye tops and dresses, worn by a loyal following of celebrity fans.
“I’ve got some favorites,” she said of those who have stepped out in her designs. “My Cate Blanchett moment …” she added, referencing the much admired Carol actress, who donned a pre-spring 2014 Allegra lace dress during the Blue Jasmine press tour.
PSYCHED: Models in Raquel Allegra’s ‘70s-inspired creations at her fall 2016 presentation. (Photo: Getty Images)
But “every woman” is the Allegra muse, and that was reflected in the diverse faces chosen to model the collection — entitled “Good Vibrations” — full of rich fabrics, textures, colors and patterns, giving a sense of cool, laid-back luxury comfort reminiscent of the ‘70s rock star.
“What I do really comes from instinct, moments of inspiration,” the designer said. And what has been the biggest lesson learned so far? “There are no mistakes. It’s trial and error. I pick it up as I go along, but I feel like I’ve just started to really understand what I’m doing.”
