September 23, 2020 |
David Koma could have been a professional tennis player. Instead, he became a successful designer and the go-to man for modern, crystal-encrusted dressing-up. His backhand is excellent and he credits his fashion success to his customer’s ability to focus and deliver. So it seemed fitting that for SS21 he combined his passion for sport with his take on contemporary glamour.
The cross-pollination worked a treat. His signature corsets, beloved of the likes of Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber, were paired with track pants or cycling shorts for a game-ready take on after-dark dressing. They played alongside fully sequined tennis dresses, cut away at the hip to reveal plenty of toned leg, tennis ball yellow bodycon layers and a crystal cage mini skirt, inspired by diamond tennis bracelets. He also had fun bedazzling rackets. “They’re fully functional,” he assured us as he practised his swing.
Koma had intended to do a live fashion show at Hascombe Court in Surrey, which is famous for its beautiful garden and tennis courts but due to Corona restrictions, ended up filming the show without an audience. He took the last-minute change of plan in his stride. This is the second collection he has produced in lockdown. His resort came out at the height of the shutdown and despite the difficult circumstances, he was buoyed by its success. He credits manufacturing in London, having special relationships with his suppliers and his hard-working team with keeping his brand on track. He’s confident about this collection too. Dripping with his special brand of bodycon sass, it’s Koma to the core.
