This New York fashion week, editors and street style stars are grappling with the challenge of looking chic in extremely cold conditions. It’s unlikely they’ll be looking to Cult Gaia for help. Every season, designer Jasmin Larian Hekmat leans into vacation dressing for her brand, offering summery staples year-round that are begging for a tropical getaway. (Sounds nice right about now.)
Naturally, her new assortment of beaded and sculptural dresses for spring took inspiration from some of her own far-flung travels. “I was inspired by these old Italian frescoes, and the textures you see in them,” said the designer. She also shot the new collection in a Brazilian jungle, enlisting singer Marina Sena to model the pieces.
Many of her signature dresses had an earthy, textural feel grounded in nature-inspired hues. A simple cream tank mini dress was draped in strands of pearls. Another mini dress, in mossy green pearls, was draped and ruched like curtains on the body. Her beige knitwear, like a slinky maxi dress, had three-dimensional floral appliqués along the front, while her actual flower prints came in tapestry-like blues and browns. It was reminiscent of a 1970s couch, yet somehow modern.
While a statement frock is always in the Cult Gaia wheelhouse, Hekmat also attempted to infuse some more minimal items into the line this season. (For the past few seasons now, Hekmat has been trying to offer more day-to-day wear.) “I was finding our pieces a little too fussy, so I was really excited to pare it back,” said the designer. A chocolate brown crop top was paired with a flowing maxi skirt, and finished with a floral bolo tie. A simple bodycon dress, with a ruched skirt, was given a splash of energy thanks to the sky-blue color way. These certainly are not the most innovative garments you may have ever come across, but they are precisely the kind that sell and that the Cult Gaia customer wants.
The accessories, meanwhile, further played into the overall fun and whimsical feel. Hekmat created heels with removable Dahlia flowers, and crafted wicker clutches that you can unpack and play a game of backgammon on. “I want all of my pieces to be more engaging,” she said. “If you’re out to dinner, you can entertain yourself!”