An homage to Brittany
Christian Tournafol presented his third collection at the Krokodil. This young designer, the 1997 prize winner at the Festival de Dinard, is slowly but surely making a name for himself in the fashion world, especially in France and Japan, where his lines are most popular. Raised on the Armor coast of Brittany, his inspiration is marked by both the sea and the Celtic tradition (his brand's logo evokes both the Celtic cross and ocean waves). Tournafol takes classics and renews them in unusual ways: traditional striped sailor sweaters and T-shirts are attached to long or knee-length denim skirts and become dresses (with sleeves in different lengths, and the classic white or red stripes). Details from seamen's cabans, especially the buttons, appear on hooded denim dresses, modernized pea coats worn over low-waisted pants, a long, fluid jade taffeta coat or on the jackets of soft-structured skirt (long or straight) ensembles in white or navy. Drawstring closures are used at the waists of jackets, the hems of bubble skirts or at the neck of a backless dress. But Christian Tournafol also lets his creativity flow in other directions. He creates impeccable summer dresses, with spaghetti straps and a horizontal seam under the bust, that follow the lines of the body without clinging; this reveals his successful mastery of the cut. Dresses with asymmetrical necklines and cut-outs at the waist, in racy shades of jade and red-orange, evoke exotic Indian saris. The designer likes to contrast styles and materials, pairing sleeveless lace tops with denim pants or placing white lace appliqués on glowing white linen dresses. Tournafol is definitely a talent to be followed.
Virginie Transon
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