Disney’s The Little Mermaid was the key source of inspiration for the recent GAIL SORRONDA SS14/15 presentation at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mermaids Exist: As Above / So Below.
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Brisbane designer Gail Sorronda captured the essence of The Little Mermaid in her wearable collection, which features interpreted repeats of hybrid iconography from the movie, bulbous silhouettes, fishtail sequins and mermaid skirts featuring fishnet-like tulle, while models wore King Triton-esque headpieces.
Inspired by creation in the context of duality, Sorronda said the movie was a relatable fairytale where land meets the sea in a story that captures the heart, mind and imagination: “The Little Mermaid movies are beautiful and enduring. Curious, wide-eyed Ariel and my favourite singing lobster Sebastian exist in a movement from one plane to another.”
“I was inspired by this and the idea of everything having two parts, not existing without one another. Mermaids Exist: As Above / So Below looks at the equal and opposite reactions of life, such as masculine and feminine, dark and light, intellectual and emotional, and macrocosms versus microcosms,” she said.
“While separate, these things exist on the same continuum – forces having different directions, yet being inexplicably linked. This is reflected in the essence of The Little Mermaid. She is an ethereal mermaid, a sea deity, siren of the sea and a sea witch, but she is so kooky, as well.”
The wearable, yet seraphic, collection was self-styled by the designer. Fresh and youthful make-up created by MAC artist James Molloy and mermaid hair by REDKEN stylist Jon Pulitano added structure and fluidity to Sorronda’s collection. Crochet shoes by Canadian designer Arielle De Pinto completed the fairy-tale.
