Ada Zanditon returns this SS12 with a collection which is, as always, complex and beautiful, intricate and delicate, full of meaning and elegance.

Poseisus is title of the collection, derived from Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, and the fantastical Pegasus, the gleaming white winged horse. The collection references Greek mythology as well as the ever changing colourful patterns, elegant beauty and structured exoskeleton of the two native species of British seahorses, The Spiny Seahorse and The Short Snouted Seahorse.

It’s a tale of myth, but also a very real one of danger and extinction, since these fascinating animals are disappearing from the fragile island coastal environment.

It explores the contrast between their structured equine silhouette, the female human form, and the fluidity of the aquatic environment in which they live.

Key shapes in the collection mimic the structural form of the seahorse, taking the shape of the elegant fanned dorsal and caudal fins that they use to propel themselves as they dance through the water, which appear on the garments as ruffled details extruding from sculptural silhouettes.

New forms are introduced this season alongside the previous signature structured and geometrically cut pieces, exploring different construction profiles by draping fabric in new, soft, and floating shapes, using different notions of volume and fluidity that imitate the tidal flow of the ocean’s current.

Ada Zanditon personally developed all the prints, digitally manipulating images of the endangered seahorses.

True to the brand ethos, the designs feature an abundant use of luxurious fabrics; Crepe de chine, French chiffon, a mixture of organic fair-trade materials; cotton shirting, crossweave, denim and jersey. End of the line upcycled Cumbrian Linton Tweed and vegetable tan leather complete the designs.

A selection from the collection is available on Yoox and Zeuz.

all images courtesy of Ada Zanditon