Fireworks in fashion

Designer duo Charles and Ron are again taking advantage of the magical Notte Bianca atmosphere tomorrow and the setting of the Malta Stock Exchange to launch their spring/summer 2010 collection.

The economy may be in recession but the financial building in the backdrop is unlikely to remind audiences of any crisis except the one their pockets may suffer if they go for the dresses on display at its doors.

Next summer's CR collection reaches for the stars, inspired by fireworks and the colours they create in the night sky, a controversial subject linked to danger and disturbance for some but that hits the designers in a more positive way.

They are hoping to cause their own explosions, albeit limited to the fashion scene. The fireworks displays are no loose theme and not just expressed in the colours; their images have been printed on the fabrics.

The 2010 collection has also used bright colour combinations to create a pop-art effect while other inspirations are 1970s evening wear and also the glamour that some women in the Arab world hide underneath their dark veils.

"After last year's success, the show is once again part of Notte Bianca, which we consider to be a fantastic yearly event, so it is an honour for us to participate in it. We both love our capital city and could not imagine a better location to stage it," they said.

This year, apart from the Stock Exchange steps, a catwalk has also been added so the audience can get an even better view of the clothes while the visual experience is being enhanced by other surprises.

Charles and Ron are collaborating with hairstylist Alexander Carabott of Alexander's and make-up artist Diane Nikolic.