Contrast makes the world brighter and more rich. When we encounter it, a flurry of cones in our eyes reacts instinctively to create a buzz of excitement in the brain. Artists over the ages have drawn upon this visual magic, informed by phenomena found in nature. Some of our most enduring motifs originate from contrasts in landscape: the brush of green foliage over brown earth; blue waves crashing against white sand; a black velvet sky punctuated by white stars.
In Gilda Midani’s second delivery for spring, the Brazilian artist pushes the limits of tonal contrast. Punchy black and white pieces are presented alongside the rust and cerulean designs from her first delivery–as if night has fallen over the Sonoran Desert. When these tones are juxtaposed, their best qualities are heightened. White becomes more vivid, black more intense. Explore the art of contrast through dye-ways such as Star, Stone and Rainy—each starkly evocative of its natural inspiration.
Functionally, Gilda achieves buzz through her natural dye process. The white spots in a design are raw cotton and linen, intentionally mingled among washes of black and grey. Through the careful use of ties, wax and hand-dipping the fabric, she coaxes the pattern to reality. In the end, the best thing about this collection, aside from its inherent artistry, is its easy wearability. The designs are unfussy, and look great layered together or just pulled over a pair of jeans. Care is a breeze too… Toss your Gilda in a cold wash, lay it flat to dry and then enjoy wearing it all over again.
