The air was thick with anticipation at the Royal Academy of Arts, where 16Arlington chose to unveil its Spring/Summer 2025 collection. The light-filled hall, adorned with artist Jesse Pollock’s towering palm tree sculptures, provided an airy backdrop for Marco Capaldo’s latest creations. A sprinkling of confetti suggested a festive mood, a promise of sun-drenched days and endless summer nights. The collection itself was a vibrant testament to this spirit, a kaleidoscope of butter yellows, sherbet oranges and refreshing mint greens that brought a much-needed dose of sunshine to London’s often gray skies.
Capaldo’s inspiration for the season came from an unlikely source: Pedro Almodóvar’s chilling psychological thriller, “The Skin I Live In.” The film’s masterful use of light and shadow, its carefully curated art collection juxtaposed against a backdrop of suspense, captured the designer’s imagination. The result is a collection that is both playful and profound, a delicate balancing act between light and dark. Sheer t-shirts knotted at the bust evoked a sense of carefree abandon, while python-print panties added a touch of the unexpected. Sheer skirts erupted in fiery bursts of dip-dyed marabou feathers, their ethereal beauty suggesting a hidden ferocity.
Capaldo has never shied away from exploring the darker aspects of human nature, and this collection is no exception. Beneath the surface of sun-kissed ease lies a current of something more complex, a subtle nod to the movie’s disturbing narrative. It’s a testament to Capaldo’s skill as a designer that he is able to seamlessly blend these disparate elements to create a collection that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.
The craftsmanship on display is nothing short of breathtaking. Capaldo’s signature feather embellishments are reimagined in a new waxed raffia technique, while draped denim and intricately beaded minidresses showcase the brand’s commitment to exquisite detail. One standout piece, a miniskirt embellished with 57,000 hand-crocheted beads, speaks volumes about the level of artistry that goes into each and every 16Arlington creation.
©Photo: 16Arlington