Six strong statement looks dominate this Autumn/Winter collection. A palette of intense blacks flashed with rich jewel colours of fuchsia and sapphire.

This is a collection inspired by unexpressed rage, raw emotions, unspoken words, hidden thoughts, and dark desires. Each garment gives vent to a different facet of what is hidden, what is unexpressed, and what is dreamed. The expression of dark force produces light, creativity and freedom. Dark and light collide in silhouette, fracture at the edge of the human form, both powerful and feminine, sculptured, moulded, tightly fitted, constraining and yet liberating.

This is the Afira signature, the empowering of the female form through the structures which previously imprisoned it, designed for the contemporary woman who sees no contradiction in being both feminine and forceful.

Using inbuilt corsetry to enhance, rather than restrict, the female form, Afira combines sheath and pencil shapes, that are sculptured and cinched in at the waist and broad shoulders that assert and enhance the female form. Pleats, panels, and exquisite folds, sharp cut tailoring, clever draping in luxurious fabrics of cashmere, velvet, delicate French lace, butter soft leather and sensuous silks. A charged erotic interplay of high shine lurex and duchess satins, with textured matt leathers and deep black velvet, create the dynamic textures of this a/w collection. Key details: stitched leather detailing, edgy power shoulders, inbuilt corsetry, black floral lace, wraps of silk tulle, tied and wrapped grosgrain ribbon.

Afira comments:  “My design aesthetic, like my life, is inspired by strong, powerful and sexy women. DARK DAZE employs the architecture of sexual suppression and explodes it with liberating, erotically-charged energy.”

Photography: Joanna O’Hanlon | Model: Elina Mitrofanova at Profile | Styling: Afira, Neha Amin | Makeup: Celiné Nonon | Hair: Shinya Fukami | Special Thanks: Amy Nelson