Osmany Laffita - Spring - summer 2008 collection ASIA DE CUBA

Prague's Wenceslas Square for the first time hosted a fashion show on Thursday September 20th 2007 evening with the presentation of Osmany Laffita's Spring - summer 2008 collection ASIA DE CUBA.

On the last day of summer, Osmany Laffita is presenting his summer collection for the upcoming year. The summer 2008 collection, named "Asia de Cuba", is a fusion of Asian inspiration and Osmany's Cuban roots. "I spent some time in the beginning of the year in Asia, and I suppose it rubbed off on me" smiles Osmany, never short of a new idea. "The idea was not to make a collection for Asia, but rather a wearable collection with details of Asian traditional clothing."

To present his collection, Osmany chose as audacious a place as his character. A premiere for Wenceslas Square in Prague is to be the venue of a couture show! "I have been luring at this location for quite a long time, says Osmany.  It is just such a dominant in Prague that I could not resist to do a show there. It also gives an opportunity for anybody passing by to see the collection, which amuses me."

Satin Silks, silk dupions, and silk chiffons have a base of colors going from natural pastel colors in green, sand color, olive, apricot, to lilac and bronze.

The collection is a dedication to Asia in its fullest keeping in mind that the bearer will be western.  Countless layers of flower hand embroidered taffeta silks give an impression that models wrapped in fabric. Sleeves have a rectangular cut, and dresses have a quilted collar and most outfits bear a waist sash, nevertheless, because of the combination of the traditional fabrics with light and airy silk chiffons and the fact that the sashes are in a disco shiny sequence fabric, the totality becomes a fusion of Asia and Cuba - Asia de Cuba. Those that know Osmany and his signature know also that his main inspiration remains the body and that is visible throughout this collection. The collection, far from being theatrical remains very wearable. In suits and shirts, collars are "à la Mao", sleeves resemble Chinese umbrellas in their shape, and buttons are replaced by little knots.  

Classical men suits are inspired by the kimono tradition but with traditional Italian pin-striped fabrics giving a very unusual and young result. Suits are wrapped around and closed not with buttons but with oversized buckles.  

Osmany's footwear for the upcoming summer is inspired by the Geishas' "Getta"  but then revised by a Cuban eye. The wooden frames are replaced by a heel which is made of the logo of Osmany house - O.L.  You literally walk on Osmany's heel. Without surprise, Osmany is adorning his shoe with Swarovski crystals both on the heel and on the straps giving it his very personal signature and a very chic look. Men's shoes are wooden sandals, even when worn with classic suits.