PFW: Esteban Cortazar, Instagram landscapes in a Jesuit college

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Mar 7, 2017

Once the Boy Wonder from Florida, who staged shows as a teenager in Manhattan, Esteban Cortazar is today a proper commercial success. Scores of American retailers also crammed into the school’s beautiful library.
 

Once known for sherbet fantasy, Cortazar’s style has toughened up and gained a suitable dose of street. Though he still remains a charming egomaniac – one cool print consisted of a Photoshop assemblage of images from his own Instagram account. This fabric was then used as a back insert of a fabulous final white evening gown and as a mini sports bra. He called the material “cyber landscapes,” and mingled it for day with punchy plaids – either velour pants and sweatshirts and party boots – and bright tartans. For added humor, Esteban sent out Teddy Bear handbags, more Mike Kelly-like sculptures.
 

In an ebullient mood, the designer took his bow by running the length of the school library, as editors and scores of students in smart suits cheered. And, just in case you did not get his message, he left a series of quotes from Indian writer Arundhati Roy on each seat.

“To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you.” Wise words life for fashion and indeed life.