GHARANI STROKENTITLED
Ransom, the
Gharani Strok collection promised "a ballerina fallen from grace, escaping to meet her rock star lover. Wearing his sheepskin and leather gloves, the motorbike lover makes a quick escape from the scene of the crime. The rebellious attitude echoes a spirit from Patti Hearst and Bonnie and Clyde. Fresh from the big hold-up - she covers up only to reveal her seductive eyes in blaze of conspiracy and espionage." With all that in mind, you'd be forgiven for forgetting to concentrate on the job in hand to watch the exciting tale unfold before you. But the only story that really mattered here was the clothes. Seriously sexy dresses put a whole new slant on the LBD. In slippery silk or wool they had barely-there chiffon panels for added intrigue or metal embellishments to further catch the eye. Tulip skirts are everywhere this season but never sexier than here - in silver under a black cashmere knit with an overflowing poloneck and sexy triangle cut-out of the back. Double-breasted wool trenches were perfect for a chic getaway and a turquoise and black print made up dresses that were all innocence - then berets added a French resistance twist that meant things were not all as they seemed, and perfectly tailored brown leather jackets and funky platform shoes made this girl the leader of her gang. Gharani Strok has a skill for reinvention - neither getting bogged down in seasonal trends, nor ever getting them wrong. It's the one you can always show off about owning. (February 16 2006, PM)
Dolly Jones
