A Victorian Charm: Eyola Collection

A Victorian Charm: Eyola Collection

Article by Abigail Phillips.

It seems that this fall will see the return of Victorian charm as it made its debut at New York Fashion Week last month. Leading designers such as Marc Jacobs and Vera Wang embraced this trend by reverting to the century’s iconic frivolousness with high neck collars, antique lace, structured silhouettes and exaggerated shoulders, all given with a modern 21st century twist to their A/W’11 collections. 

The Victorian trend is something one Tellusfashion designer knows all too well. Eyola is heavily influenced by the Victorian era; which is referenced in her dramatic, decorative and refined silhouettes. Her designs look as if they were tailored for a Victorian goddess, embodying power and luxury to its wearer. Eyola’s specialities are dresses, separates and jackets signed with a black velvet ribbon inside. The London designer Eyola has established an identity of her own since interning at Alexander McQueen and Missoni, yet one thing is for certain, she has taken McQueen’s love for powerful structure, distinctive design and Missoni’s bold colour palette and translated the same aesthetics into her own collections. The Central Martin’s graduate emerged as a strong, sharp designer when she launched her own label in 2008. Eyola was tagged as one of the emerging talents selected for the Vogue Talents supplement in 2009 and since then she has been recognised for her crafted and individual collection of octettes. Each is based around one bold colour or a particular fabric in celebration of the discovery of colourful dyes produced by William Perkin in the 19th century. 

What makes Eyola’s designs most intriguing and special are their exclusivity and limited edition appeal. Whether her designs are one of a kind for haute fashion lovers or limited edition octettes, each garment is created with the philosophy that it becomes a collectible piece to its owner, a garment that is guaranteed to be in your wardrobe forever. It is quite appropriate at a time where we are dismissing the binge of disposable fashion in favour of quality and timeless classics.

One particular favourite of mine is her Eros Octave gown which defines luxury. The romanticism of this floor length dress is emphasised in its deep red hue combined with its asymmetric draping and fluidity. The Victorian influence underlies in its construction and structure with its subtle corsetry and drape at the back and bust. Her attention to detail completes the gown with tassel embellishment defining the asymmetrical structure.

Having had ample press coverage from publications such as 125 and Harpers Bazaar, it is safe to say Eyola is destined for big things. Especially now her passion for sharp silhouettes and her Victorian identity is set to be filtered down from the catwalk to high street come fall. Although NYFW picked up on the trend not so long ago, Eyola was already a mile ahead of her rivals with her individual and dramatic approach to design and her ability to cross reference centuries to create innovative, bold, new statement must haves that cater for all luxurious ladies.