I’ve never been one of those girls to plot her dream wedding since the age of 5. At this point, I’m not even sure I want to get married, let alone how I feel about flower arrangements or the heated band vs. DJ debate.
In the past few years, I’ve been to friends’ weddings around the world and never cease to be amazed by the level of detail considered for months and oft years prior to the main event. It’s enough to make any sane, single woman want to stay that way for as long as possible. And while I don’t know when, where and to whom I may marry in the future, what I do know is that my dress will be an effortless, elegant and potentially backless affair a la this Celine Dress from Candela.
Effortless and elegant: Two adjectives not unfamiliar to Candela designer Gabriela “Gabi” Perezutti. Her line has been described as “ripe with gaucho sway and signs of modern urban life,” the nexus at which both extremes meet through a unique point of view. At least, that’s what Gabi told me when I caught up with her in NYC last week. The native Uruguayan and now West Villager loves the juxtaposition of the rustic with the urban, a blend that has inspired her designs since Candela was born in 2004.
“It’s been a long road and lot of hard work,” Gabi tells me when I ask how she feels about Candela’s current spot as industry fashion darling. “Any attention is very welcome.” The attention continues to grow, especially with the Fall 2013 and most recent Resort 2014 collections. Favorites of Gabi’s include the Sansa ballerina (“in every color!”) and the Oles booties featuring cross embroidery from her father’s poncho.
Where else does she find inspiration? “Living in the city and traveling are always the best triggers,” she says. “It can also be music, art and movies…anything that moves me.” Besides her own, favorite collections include Valentino, Dior by Raf Simons, Celine by Phoebe Philo and Sacai by Chitose Abe.
The emphasis seems to be on the natural, when it comes to both style and beauty: “My mother gave me the best advice,” she muses. “If you’re going to wear makeup (which I rarely do), it should look like you don’t have any on. I am a big believer in natural inspiration.”
And for me? Natural evolution. And who says you can’t rock a backless cream gown without a ring on your finger anyway?
