Spring/Summer 2016

Spring/Summer 2016
“Be mysterious, be loving and you will be happy.”
“Escaping to reach art.” Words uttered long ago by Paul Gauguin who made the voyage
by sea in 1891, and again in 1895, to Tahiti, on a creative mission, searching for something
more essential; more natural; wilder than the artifice of his native France, to inspire his
paintings. It was that same impulse, that same urgent desire for a connection to nature,
that would spark our own pilgrimage to South India’s lush and verdant Palni Hills.
A serene idyll of vast sky and dense jungle, far off the grid, where the only soundtrack
was the infrequent warbling of wild birds. Where there was little more that could and
should be done than paint, read, and idle in a hammock, nibbling on ripe jackfruit
plucked from the tree above. Where during the day the air was moist and heavy enough
to leave its damp imprint on orchids and banana leaves. And where, come nightfall,
darkness would methodically descend bringing with it a palpable quiet and a broad
sweep of stars. It was a place to feel whole, to feel at peace.
In 1901 Gauguin etched a few simple words across the doorframe of his self-christened
house of pleasure in the Marquesas Islands, the place where he would spend his
final years. “Be mysterious, be loving and you will be happy.” A simple credo, it seems
particularly apropos for Anaak’s Spring/Summer 2016 collection. Languid silhouettes,
light in weight and spirit, with a faraway feel. All of them designed with the thick haze
and steamy temperatures of the South Indian jungle in mind (and lovingly crafted by
hand in remote areas of India). There are breezy, striped caftans with a halo of fringe
at the sleeves; slouchy, gauzy pants that billow with the passing breeze; laid-back, rawedged tunics; and generously draped dresses with tasseled belts that graze the body and
have a refined ease. Like a plunge into cool water, or dusk’s arrival after the sun has
cast the final shadow of palm fronds across our bare backs, these clothes are a relief.
The greatest escape.
Maithili Flutter Dress
Loulou Bell Dress
Salt Surf Surfboard Collaboration
Loulou Slit Caftan
Loulou Bell Blouse . Loulou Salwar Pant
Uma Tank Dress
Uma Tank Top . Uma Salwar Pant
Maithili Flutter Mini
Maithili Flutter Blouse
Maithili Flutter Dress
Latha Tee . Latha Skirt . And So It Goes Net Bag Collaboration
Latha Dolman Mini
Palni Fringe Caftan
Palni Fringe Tunic
Mirra Peasant Blouson . Latha Bikini
Uma Pleated Shorts
Mirra Dolman Blouse
Mirra Mini Chemise
Mirra Peasant Chemise
Mirra Pintuck Caftan
Mirra Long Chemise
Mirra Flutter Dress
Photography . Columbine Goldsmith
Model . Jessica Mau
Styling . Akari Endo-Gaut
Hair and Make-up . Amy Strozzi
Millinery . Brookes Boswell, Shoes . The Palantines
Words . Fiorella Valdesolo
Graphic Design . Sarah Lee
anaakcollection.com