Saint Sintra makes their NYFW debut with a hyper-pop-esque collection of couture dressmaking
A new addition to the fashion week rota, Tuesday’s sunny start to Spring/Summer 2022 saw LA-born, NYC-based Sintra Martins make her debut under the eponymous label, Saint Sintra.
DESIGNER: SAINT SINTRA
SEASON: Spring/Summer 2022 titled The Color of Things
EVENT: New York Fashion Week
LOCATION: The Stranger, New York, USA
Already a favourite amongst celebrities the likes of OLIVIA RODRIGO, TINASHE, AZEALIA BANKS and KIM PETRAS, it wasn’t long ago that Sintra Martins was working as a private tailor for THOM BROWNE and WIEDERHOEFT while studying at New York’s PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN. From taking custom orders on the side to debuting this season at New York Fashion Week, the young designer is looking to make couture dressmaking more accessible and approachable by sharing what she views as “a form of entertainment” through her collections.
Immediately upon entry to The Stranger at 303 W 57th Street, this season’s chosen venue, I was handed a type of hibiscus flavoured water called ‘Ruby’, before heading to my assigned area. The space was super kitschy, a kind of tropical-meets-dollhouse decor (FYI, there was an elephant animatronic and waterfall inside). Sitting in lawn chairs or standing on artificial grass, as I glanced across the room, my eyes fell upon German pop star Kim Petras who was sat opposite me in a white frilly dress with long, turquoise and aquamarine hair. Next to her were the CLERMONT TWINS.
As a hush fell over the audience, a hyper-pop-y, remixed version of Blondie’s The Tide Is High started playing, followed by a range of other high energy tracks. While her Fall/Winter 2021 collection was inspired by childhood memorabilia and mid-century nostalgia, this collection drew from the children’s book The Color of Things: “a frivolous retro-future, technicolor hyper-pop dystopia, looking at the post-analogue world through a technicolor kaleidoscope of youth and glamour.”
My absolute favourite look from the collection was a long, silver bejewelled, see-through sheer baby blue body con dress. Breathtaking. I also loved the multi-coloured feathered look, accompanied by a small Pomeranian dog in the hands of the model, because what could be chicer and more fashionable than that? It’s safe to say, the audience was obsessed with it.
The collection was a mesmerising effort from Martins, encapsulating what the young designer defines for her brand as “tailoring, innovative silhouettes, and a romantic sensibility.” From a couple of school girl-esque outfits (one in pink and the other in black - both paired with Mary Jane type shoes and ripped black tights) to a pink mesh hoodie, white and lilac twisted halter, pearl-beaded, cut-out mini dress, some macrame, and lots of ruffles and mesh in varying colours and silhouettes, all we can say is: a true summer romance. To top it off, the collection was complemented with shoes by JEFFREY CAMPBELL, jewellery by CIRCO GRINGO, hair by CHARLIE LE MINDU for L’OREAL, and make-up by ZENIA JAEGER.
Photography by HEDI STANTON, courtesy of SAINT SINTRA
FASHION WEEK is here to catch you up on the latest trends, designers and lewks direct from the runway with a focus on the best of next generation talent. Whether your cup of tea is giant inflatable balloons parading through the crowd or multi-coloured knitted sweaters, we’ve got something for you.