PRELUDE TO DAWN
Draw inspiration from Romaine Brooks — an American artist born in Rome, whose work captured the essence of heroic femininity. A painter of exceptional women and melancholic beauty, Brooks portrayed a world where elegance met defiance, where darkness coexisted with refinement. Her childhood was marked by turmoil — her parents’ divorce left her unmoored, and art be- came her path to self-reinvention. As an adult, she immersed herself in the avant-garde circles of Rome, London, Capri, Paris, and Florence, moving among aristocrats, intellectuals, and free spirits. In this world, individuality was a signature. Her art embodied a personal mythology of womanhood — a world of androgynous beauty, introspection, and power. With a restrained palette of black, gray, and white, her paintings radiated an austere sensuality: commanding women dressed in tuxedos, morning coats, and top hats — figures that were both elegant and subversively provocative. Rooted in classical and Pre-Raphaelite traditions, her work was imbued with deep psychologi- cal symbolism, celebrating the physical and spiritual strength of femininity. Riz Poli transforms Brooksian melancholy into a vibrant new energy — one that belongs to the modern Parisian. They are lovers of life, art, and individuality, crafting their own narratives beyond convention. The collection is anchored in black, anthracite, and beige, accented by white, burgundy, green, and stripes — an interplay of colors that illuminates the mystery of Brooks’s world. This season, heritage textiles such as Thomas Mason and Brisbane Moss pay homage to tra- ditional craftsmanship, bridging past and present in a tactile dialogue. The scarf emerges as a transformative element, challenging conventional construction: sleeves morph into scarves, seamlessly integrating with garments to create unexpected collars; fabric encircling the neck is deconstructed and reshaped, redefining wearability. Fur-lined, folded shoulders reimagine outerwear’s structural language, while double-front construction on denim jackets and cash- mere coats introduces depth and visual intrigue. Double-collar T-shirts and sweatshirts rein- vent classic cuts, offering fresh perspectives on everyday staples. This collection is more than fashion—it is an exploration of independence, artistry, and crafts- manship. It honors Romaine Brooks’s artistic legacy while embodying the attitude of the con- temporary Parisian: bold, sophisticated, and endlessly expressive.