Unapologetically sexy, a 'Black Widow' stepped out onto Gestuz's runway for the autumn/winter 2023 season
The anticipation was palpable when Gestuz’s guests arrived in the sculpture hall of the renowned Thorvaldsensmuseum – Denmark’s first public museum which opened in 1848. Against a backdrop of marble statues, models strode through the space in a daring display of sultry confidence. For creative director Sanne Sehestedt, this season’s muse was not restricted by a certain age, size, or a particular take on femininity. Instead, she focused on emulating extravagance and empowerment with her lineup, serving “a bit of a Black Widow, maybe”, she told Vogue Scandinavia ahead of the show.
The 'Black Widow' even made it onto the mood board, nestled amongst rich materials and gloomy colours. “Extravagant was the first word added to our design board,” said Sehested. “I looked towards quite classic elements and fancy dressing, but with a new take. I wanted to dig deeper into “sexiness” and discover different ways of approaching it.” This sex appeal came to fruition in feminine fabrics and sultry silhouettes. Inspired by the shape of the female body and looking towards the world of lingerie, suits are given a corsage fit while delicate lace dresses are styled under oversized coats – all tied together with bows in leather and silk. “Traditional ‘female’ fashion elements such as lace, showing skin and tight fits are often judged as vulgar or too girly. I didn’t want to hide these things, but rather integrate them in the looks," Sehested adds.
The collection makes an unapologetic statement on how women should be at liberty to explore and contrast both the masculine or feminine, without impeding their power. It brings a twist – simultaneously modern and vintage – to a classic ladylike look, as fitted suits meet maxi dresses, leather is mixed with sparkling pieces, and long, heavy coats are worn with nearly nothing underneath. A dark colour palette is explored with a base of black, bottle green, brown and dark reds. The darker colours are highlighted by strong pink, creamy beige, and different nuances of denim – all accentuated by heavy jewellery and vampy lips.
See the full collection below:
Gestuz - AW23
