Joana Almagro A/W’15: Thunderbolt

Joana Almagro is a Filipina-born, Manchester-based fashion designer who’s debut autumn/winter collection is one we can’t stop looking at; her style has become synonymous with ultra-body contouring and contemporary silhouettes, with the A/W’14-5 collection showcasing heavily embellished, textured statement jackets and dresses inspired by the feminine form. 

It is Almagros’ design aesthetic that has projected her brand onto the International stage, with recognition being gained when she won a place at the Clothes Show Live – Graduate ASOS Marketplace competition, as a Shoreditch Fashion Week 2013 Finalist and a Top 60 Finalist at the Frankfurt Style Awards 2014.

The new Autumn/Winter 2014-5 ‘Thunderbolt’ collection was influenced by the Manchester Science and Institute Museum archives, where Almagro based the silhouette of her designs on the various air-crafts styles that were significant in the late 1930’s to mid 1940’s. The focal point of the collection being based on the ‘Thunderbolt P-47’ which was the most influential and powerful jet of the time.

After studying garment construction at Slim’s Fashion and Design School Makati, Philippines in 2006, Joana then started to create her designs – gaining exclusive clients via word of mouth. She moved to the UK in 2008 and by 2012 had taken up a place at the prestigious Manchester Metropolitan University, School of Art. It was here that she channelled her love of fashion and honed her design skills to create her signature look.

Joana is inspired by the works of Martin Margiella, V&R, Roland Mouret and Madame Coco Chanel which she uses to explore masterful, heavy, innovative techniques juxtaposed to classic and avant-garde pattern to create her unique embellishments. Joana’s fascination with the female form has resulted in a consistent body-conscious theme, creating strong, architectural shapes, evoking empowerment to the wearer that defines her labels tagline of ‘Style to the individual’.

Evie Switzer

Stockist: www.wolfandbadger.com / www.notjustalabel.com /en.carnetdemode.com (Paris). Dresses from £320 / Jackets from £425 / Skirts from £160