Ice Age
Jasmin Santanen's
name is Finnish, her education American, and her place of business is
Parisian. But it's precisely this sort of global intersection that
makes the designer's new namesake collection so universally appealing.
"All three cities play an important part in my work and influence my
designs," says Santanen, who studied at Parsons School of Design in New
York and went on to work in Paris with Yves Saint-Laurent and Hermès
before embarking on her own venture.
"When I first started, I was thinking of something more casual and
day-to-day," recalls the designer. "But then a client who was fond of
my evening-wear came to me asking for more feminine pieces…these are
now the trademarks of the line." Her attention to these details and
various couture traditions of designing comes full circle in her first
ready-to-wear collection for spring/summer 2008—an intricately woven
tapestry of medieval references and modern silhouettes, all finished in
a palette of clean, cool whites, blues, and warm creams and gold.
"Living in Paris exposes me to many medieval ideas, but my main point
of reference this season came from Elizabeth I," says Santanen. "She
had such a natural elegance, but she was also a warrior." This balance
between grace and power is directly reflected in an embroidered cotton
tank dress that's both sexy and sobering. And even the finest of lace
skirts is precisely cut to fit the waist for a sharp silhouette. (More)
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