CAROLINA BOTELHO EXPLORES HER HERITAGE AND SHINES

CAROLINA BOTELHO

Carolina Botelho: A New Lineage of Luxury

Vancouver's fashion scene glittered a little brighter on Thursday, October 9th, as the city's style set gathered inside the storied Heritage Hall to celebrate the launch of eponymous label Carolina Botelho —the latest creative evolution from designer Carolina Botelho. The  "Lines of Heritage" marked not just a new collection but a bold statement of intent from a designer stepping confidently into her next era.

I was the first fashion journalist to cover Botelho when, a year ago, she showed her Dress Cozy label at Vancouver Fashion Week. Since then, I have followed her rise as a local designer who is making a mark on fashion in the city. Last season, in April, I sat down with the designer for an in-depth interview. After two seasons of Dress Cozy, Carolina hinted at the desire to spread her wings and venture into a higher-end bespoke line. With her first red carpet commission under her belt, Carolina was ready to create something new. It is from this starting point that "Carolina Bothelo", the label, was born. This woman moves fast, and her journey from inception to reality has taken just six months.

Carolina Botelho: A Review

The designer's show notes are a window into their vision. In the case of Carolina Botelho, the notes describe the inspiration for Lines of Heritage as her personal journey. The designer is paying tribute to her origins in the Brazilian city of Brasilia, and the quiet strength of the women who shaped her. Botelho says, "It is a collection rooted in place, emotion, and craft."

The runway presentation opened with a video showing the designer in Brasilia, highlighting the local architecture and flora. Brasilia is unique because it is a planned city, and its designs reflect a modernist and futurist architectural style. While we reflect on the designer's intentions, it is what they produce that will tell their story. The clothes on the runway are all we have to experience the designer's ideas.

Carol Botehlo chose strong, simple silhouettes with clean architectural lines; the shapes were uncluttered and streamlined. The collection is a parade of lovely jewel tones, pastels and flashes of vibrancy. It is as though we are watching a cavalcade of different archetypes: a young woman attending her prom and a sophisticated lady in a black satin suit with crisp architectural pleats at the cuffs and hem. These are fabric portraits of the women who influenced the designer. The collection avoids being about the latest trend and creates stylish classics.

The "Lines Of Heritage " collection is an eclectic array of day dresses, suits, smartly cut trousers, and evening gowns. A pair of brightly coloured tiered organza dresses is reminiscent of the Brazilian penchant for Carnivale. There is a an aura of vitality to clothes part samba part bosa nova. The designer is presenting a vision of a modern woman who chooses clothes that are both lifestyle-ready and event-ready, ranging from a lean white trouser suit to a standout, brilliant red gown with a thigh-high ruffled slit. With the thought of dressing for an occasion, Carolina Botelho has offered her client a selection of choices suitable for a chic soiree, wedding or other unforgettable moments.

As a first collection for a new brand, I look forward to where Carolina will take us next.  Carolina Botelho is finding her voice, building on the strong and beautiful collections under the label Dress Cozy. This collection is a fabulous starting point for a designer whose journey has just begun.  The skillfully crafted clothing presented in such a professional show shows that Carolina Botelho and her team are on the right track, and the future looks bright.