A study of luminescence through the medium of couture, The Diffraction of Light debuts a variety of custom-developed textiles. These accentuate the interplay of light on fabric through gentle folds and drapes, inspired by the geometry of gemstones and the stunning patterns when light shines through them.
A collection of 24 looks, The Diffraction of Light showcases hand-crafted couture techniques of smocking, pleating, embroidery, and appliqué, to create the effect of light radiating from a garment.
The 'Polaris' dress results from a months-long collaboration between ArdAzAei, world-renowned folding artist Joan Sallas, and the Paris-based pleating specialists Les Ateliers Lognon. Composed of fine silk woven with a semi-sheer metallic lurex, the dress reflects the light like the sun shimmering on the ocean. It also features three-dimensional pleats carefully folded to form the ArdAzAei emblem, itself informed by the diffraction of light through a gemstone and designed by M/M (Paris).
Made of fine silk, an ornamental ceiling inspires the 'Vega' dress in the ancient Persian city of Yazd, its elaborate mathematics informing the composition of the dress' plissé, appliqué, and intricately embroidery beads, sequins, and silver threads.
The collection also presents bespoke jacquard fabrics patterned with the atomic structure of the mineral Beryl, applied to an impeccably tailored suit and a gown with a long train, both geometrically cut to create the ArdAzAei stone cut.
'June', an evening dress defined by its featherlight layers of silk chiffon, organza and shimmering silver lurex swirling gracefully around the body. Creating its sumptuous volume took over 850 hours and 200 metres of silk.
The Diffraction of Light is at the heart of ArdAzAei's design philosophy, a phenomenon that creative director Bahareh Ardakani has been exploring to expose how a gem's beauty reflects its inner world.
ArdAzAei focuses on developing its fabrics and works with France's most esteemed craftspeople to construct couture. The company is proud that over a quarter of the couture creations within The Diffraction of Light are certified according to GOTS, the Global Organic Textile Standard (certified by Ecocert Greenlife 257263).
