From Negril Point to Botswana: DRENNA LUNA brings international inspiration to 2011 collection (CFW2011)

From an impressive collection showcased at Caribbean Fashion Week 2010, Drenna Luna is already poised to present another awing collection at this year’s staging of CFW. Arlene L. Martin, designer, attributed last year’s inspiration to the cathartic ambience of the little paradise situated on Jamaica’s western most point-Negril. This year, though not nestled in Jamaica, Botswana’s rich beauty and awesome presence has sparked the concept behind the collection

Just hours after presenting her Collection at CFW 2010, designer Arlene L. Martin was on the first of four flights to Botswana. And according to Arlene, “what I read did not prepare me for my experience. The country truly undersells its beauty. The beauty I saw was in the wide expanse of land, of which I have never seen. It was in Botswana where I had one of the most memorable life experiences – a safari tour. And those images will forever remain with me, and served as inspiration for the 2011 Collection.”

The drive through the country shows the predominantly sandy colour of the land, with hints of green on the small green leaves of most trees – it was only by the riverbed that you saw lush green colours. Flying to Kasane, in the north, we flew over the saltpans – amazing expanses of white and light grey – and then over a tree-spotted landscape through which if you were lucky enough you could spot an elephant. The landscape inspired the colours of the collection: sand, off-white, green.

Silhouettes and some design details are inspired by the favourite of the animals I saw on safari – elephants. To effect the fluidity of some elements of the inspiration, light chiffons will be used, while structure will also be a feature in the collection’s trousers.

The calmness of the collection also reflects the calm spirit of the Batswana – a truly peaceful people. This is also true to the design aesthetic of drennaLuna: simple yet interesting silhouettes that accentuate the woman’s body.

The DrennaLuna collection will be available immediately after CFW 2011 at Indigo Boutique and through direct orders at www.drennaluna.com.