The backbone of Chromat’s design ethos has always been accessible custom-fit fashion for all sizes, with structure that scaffolds the body and empowers its wearer. Spring’s architectural swimwear and athleticwear took inspiration from the strength of the female form.
Designer Becca McCharen-Tran teamed with choreographer Mela Murder to create original choreography inspired by the collection, which can be viewed in a fashion film on Sept. 14 at tumblr.com/chromat. Murder’s pregnant body was scanned in various poses and 3-D printed by Formlabs during the show to be placed on display. The specialized process takes liquid resin and bonds it through laser technology. McCharen-Tran sees 3-D printing as the future of inclusive fashion: “I think what we did today with the body scanning is the first step where you can scan yourself and look online to see the different clothes, how they fit on different bodies, download them and print them out to wear.”
While that process takes form, McCharen-Tran showed bold and sassy swim and athleticwear in technical, high-compression, wicking- and heat-regulating fabrics. There were mesh accents, bright color blocking and utility hardware shown on an array of body types. It was playful and loud, though not everybody’s cup of tea.