The mark of any great designer is the ability to be versatile and boldly introduce new concepts to tried and tested formulas while staying true to core values.

This does not only help keep the work fresh but also gives the viewer the opportunity to fall in love with a dream all over again.

Charles and Ron’s autumn/winter 2016 ‘Saints, love and Mediterranean lights’ collection succeeds at achieving this.

Held at the the neo-gothic New York City landmark – the Angel Orensanz Foundation, a venue much loved by the late Alexander McQueen – the show brought a beautiful, albeit darker brand of glamour to the cavernous hall as the brand’s show-stopping designs dominated the catwalk and captivated the attention of the audience.

In keeping with Charles and Ron’s penchant for vibrant colours and their love of in-house designed prints, their new collection took on a graphic twist, which saw the crown of St Helen, patron saint of Charles’ hometown Birkirkara, replicated many times against a black background among other eye-catching concepts that adorned each piece.

A collection full of glow

While it is not the first time that the designers have turned to the Maltese festa for inspiration, this effervescent collection is a far cry from their previous pastel green and pink offerings.

Instead, buyers were greeted with a collection full of glow from twinkling lights – a staple during the festa period. Not for the average shrinking violet, the colours were the very essence of Mediterranean winters, with cardinal pinks, warm reds and saffron yellows mixed together.

Charles and Ron’s signature colour – cardinal pink – was also combined with a rich and classic camel, highlighted with black.

Aside from the silk satin dresses, fine wool capes in feminine cuts were paired with a new range of leather bags. The new bag designs, based on the one given as a gift to Queen Elizabeth last year, were reworked and produced in the finest Italian leather in the autumn/winter 2016/2017 colours and featured integrated catchphrases such as ‘Saint’, which are sure to catch the eye of our resident fashionistas.

Sealing the deal were the models wearing shoes by Manolo Blahnik. ‘Saints, love and Mediterranean lights’ was a collection beautifully put together. Its warm reception in New York is bound to be replicated locally.