Abaete: Spring / Summer 2008 Collection

Abaete began their fashion label in 2004, under the eye of Laura Poretzky, but it wasn't until Spring 2006 that she had her first show in the famed tents at New York City's Bryant Park during Fashion Week. Very soon after, Abaete was approached by Payless ShoeSource to launch their first effort at stocking designer shoes in their stores. Many Hollywood actresses have become customers and fans of Abaete, and with collections such as their Spring/Summer 2008 Collection, it's easy to see why. The clothing features a return to an old Hollywood glamor, but combines that glamor with modern elements and innovations.

Black, white, pink, blue, and beige seem to lead the collection, with the occasional piece featuring other colors for emphasis. The entire collection has the palette of Neapolitan ice cream at the beach, which gives it a summery, yet sophisticated feel. The colors are often kept in a simple arrangement. For example, one dress has black at the top, followed by a white panel, and finishing with a pink hemline. The combination is not a difficult one, but that works to its advantage. Also popular throughout the collection are black and white striped pieces. At least one billowy shirt and a jumpsuit have thin black and white stripes throughout the pattern. This seems to be a popular trend this year, and not just in Abaete's collection, but throughout many designer's collections.

My favorite part about the designs is the way they focus on bring innovative new elements to a retro design. For example, there is one iceberg blue swimsuit that has a rather old fashioned swim skirt over the top. The style is one that you might expect to see in an old Hollywood Esther Williams movie that features some amazing synchronized swimming. However the top of the Abaete swimsuit is thoroughly modern. Its neckline plunges extremely low, and spreads open wide across the chest. In short, old Hollywood would never approve of showing that much skin, and the film would have never made it past the censors. Here in 2007, the piece looks like you found a beautiful old swimsuit and cut it to fit in with today's modern styles.