Rohmir’s Vienne Imperiale collection was said to be a celebration of the opera glamour of the eternal imperial style of the beautiful city. Rohmir are known for their collections being a plethora of feminine, eloquent dresses and tailored suits. Vienne Imperiale, lived up to its upper class name with an opulent line up that made expert use of texture and varied fabrics. Which is no surprise, considering that founder and designer Olga Roh hails from Russian nobility. Both a former model and academic, with a PhD from the University of Bern, she has brains as well as beauty, combining a love of glamour with an acute business sense.

Italian influences are a key and running concept throughout this collection. The colour palette used this season, was as regal as the silhouettes, emerald greens, ruby reds, black and gold. By using the softest faux fur, lace and velvet detailed with statement brooches and bold necklaces. Dresses appeared in elegant oxblood and bottle green but it was shades of black with regal gold detail that dominated. Lace trousers matched with sheer and gold tipped velvet capes delivered the drama, European style.

The models hair was plaited then pinned into a traditional style, embellished with pearls, then intricately twisted into a regal up-do, again highlighting the almost princess-esque nature of the collection and the plait adorned their heads almost like a tiara, while the make-up was kept rather neutral, with bold brows with a pink stained lip and dark, smoky eyes and false lashes. The epitome of Italian glamour.

Backstage ahead of the show, the buzz was euphoric, there’s so much stigma with models looking moody and being underweight, but these models were smiling, laughing and joking, it was a delightful atmosphere to be a part of, and they all looked truly radiant and of a healthy weight.

Olga herself was beaming and so full of energy and very down to earth, even seemingly looking very relaxed. The catwalk was flawless and the pieces dripped elegance and sophistication. The live opera performance added an air of emotive grace to the show, and Olga’s daughter closed the show alongside the Opera, which received a well-deserved standing ovation for the collection and the performance alike.

The show entitled ‘Vienne Imperiale’ boasted ideas of grandeur from the outset and it was safe to say, that the show did not disappoint. The slow and sultry affair was as grand and as exquisite as promised from the title. Models slowly glided down the catwalk, rather than walk, to the soothing rhythm of the orchestral music and live opera singer. This is Vienna no compromises made.

Written by by Li Thane-Kitson

Photographer Ian clark www.photobyian.co.uk