PHOTO: Designer Martinko Best At Cro-A-Porter

The first night of the fashion event proved to be successful for A`Marie, XD Xenia Design, Ivona Martinko and Teo Peric.

The first day of the 13 th Nivea Cro-A-Porter proved that Croatia knows its business. In an intimate atmosphere with some Croatian celebrities attending, we enjoyed the opening of the night with A`Marie`s collection.

Designer Ana Marija Brkic delighted again and showed that she knows her craft. Wonderful trousers made from fine, light materials, widely cut overalls and asymmetric cuts received an ovation from the audience.

We were won over by open-back overalls and short Turkish-style trousers. Pastel soft beige, silver, violet and pink were present in the wide shirts. Of course, mandatory white and black were also represented.

Dresses which were reminiscent of Roman togas stole the attention. Simple dresses us won over with their zippers set up along the creation. We are convinced that this collection has succeeded in its intention, to win us over and crawl under our skin.

MAK for romantics and Ani Ani for a youthful look

Teo Peric who works for the MAK fashion home loves white and black, judging by what we have seen. He dressed the models in dark shorts with sequins. Strict cuts, dresses with net lace tailored on them and floral prints were dominant in his collection. Pink boleros, copper-coloured materials, long airy scarves, a yellow coat and flounces clearly pleased the audience. Retro elegance mixed with surfaces of colour for romantics and fun women.

Ana Sekelj, the name behind the Ani Ani brand, presented her ideas for the summer, while the light motif of the evening was classic and fluttery. Models looked like sea fairies in her creations.

Dresses like Indian saris, with silver added and olive-coloured trousers left the impression of elegance. Colourful details, silk and cotton clothing were made for girls or women who feel young at heart.

Arileo - gipsy & hippy

Married couple Marija and Jurica Piric from Split presented their collection called Arileo. Jurica Piric told us they were inspired by nomads and he believes they managed to win over the audience with design and cuts. Violet, turquoise, green and black are dominant in the collection, mostly on the dresses.

Apart from dresses, we again saw imaginative overalls with sequins, but this was all so reminiscent of the hippy movement. In this end, this is a collection for women who love the fluttery gipsy look.

Lesbians is see-through clothing are perfection for Ivana Popovic

Fashion authority, Nenad Korkut, described the fashion show by designer Ivana Popovic by saying:

- Ivana Popovic is always different, always unique, and always wacky. Of course this is not fashion, but we had the opportunity of seeing a great performance –

And we agree with him. Ivana told us that she found inspiration in spring – she wanted to create wearable and soft designs.

I thought Ivona Martinko was the best, I mean the entire collection. A`Marie was also really pretty. From the rest, I loved certain models by MAK and Ksenija Vrbanic.

Fashion critic Nenad Korkut

- The important thing for me is that the women are lesbians and wear see-through clothes. This is perfect, when they don’t wear ties and uniforms – Ivana was brief. We asked her how she had the idea of hiring the Lezbo choir, which consists of lesbian singers.

- I am an advocator of human rights and everyone has the right to their orientation. Everyone should express the way they want. If I can help, seeing how they are pretty, healthy, smart and happy, I will do it. I have no interest in models, or anything else forcedly made. The girls from the choir beautifully wear my models, even though some of them weigh over 90 kilos. I addition, they sing beautifully – Ivana Popovic told us.

Martinko leaves framework of classics, Felja inspired by evening gowns

- I found inspiration in women, as usual. I tried to break away of frameworks of uniforms and classics and would especially emphasise the jewellery which was worn. My friend Margo created it, and I drew inspiration from it as well. I think we did an excellent combination with the jewellery and the creations - Ivana Martinko told us.

Colourful stockings, white colour, sharp lines softened up with elastic bands on the rims of dresses and trenchcoats won over fashionistas. There were plenty of trenchcoats, darker, as well as lighter and of natural materials.

Martina Felja told us she drew inspiration for her collection from evening gowns and cocktail dresses, which the guests could see. Festive dresses made of silk in soft pink tones with sowed on details were created for girls who love open backs, layered clothes and the Barbie look.

This young designer managed to score big with Hollywood ladies, thus, her imagination is worn by the Pussycat Dolls girls, Bai Ling and Sarah Larson, who is George Clooney`s ex.

Ksenija Vrbanic delights again

Ksenija Vrbanic`s collection deserved a lot of attention. The owner of the XD Xenia Design brand found inspiration in Croatian diva Josipa Lisac, while most presented creations are worn by the singer during her shows. Fantastic pieces with a touch of drama and excellent make-up proved that coming to the event was worth it.

Black and white was present from boleros to net lace, black with magnificent trenchcoats, ruffled dresses and tight leather trousers. Belts made of zippers and emphasised volume showed that Ksenija can always thrill.

Fashion critic Nenad Korkut assessed this year`s fashion event:

- I like the fact that the whole event has become more intimate than previously. Still, recession is present at the moment, in fashion and in society, so it was all reduced to the roots, to people who love fashion. I thought Ivona Martinko was the best, I mean the entire collection. A`Marie was also really pretty. From the rest, I loved certain models by MAK and Ksenija Vrbanic – Korkut told us.

We couldn`t agree more, the atmosphere was truly intimate and not the least bit pretentious, which is a real indicator that everyone who gathered at the pavilion was really a fashion enthusiast.

Take a look at the attached photo gallery: Cro-A-Porter Fashion Manifestation Starts.