By Hillary Kaylor
Photos by Monica Lo

In Phillipe Starck’s brand-new building, we gained unparalleled access to veteran designer Sylvia Heisel’s latest line, “Cultural Cosmopolitanism”. The cerebral collection ascribes to a wide international experience and beauty from around the globe. Sylvia spoke only to StyleMEnyc.com on how her unusual upbringing (she’s of Turkish heritage and had an early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya) informs her work in rich fabrics that marry the styles of today with other worldly exotic embellishments and flourishes. In our interview she tells us how she relates to her inspiration–a modern, cultured woman who incorporates elements of her travels into her everyday life.

We also spoke to both fashion show attendees and her models, who unanimously agreed they simply loved how they felt in her clothes: confident, beautiful and sophisticated. In this latest line, her forward thinking and conscientious approach to construction showcased the unexpected.

Leather blouses, stunning hand-dyed cotton coats (which Sylvia said were her favorite essential of the collection), neon pink pants and lace-up gowns looked to be drawn from every corner of the world. Styling included male models in tri-cornered hats looking very pirate-chic) and ghostly headwraps over female models’ faces. Flowing patterned sheaths brought new life into formal wear and floor length gowns were paired with separates like fabric and leather sleeves.