Mataano Spring 2013: Somali twins Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim go breezy, feminine for New York Fashion Week

In their sixth collection, the Mataano Spring 2013 show displayed a gentle aesthetic. "We went back to a softer, girlier path for Spring," Idyl Mohallim told theGrio about the sisters' inspiration.

alexisgarrettstodghill

Sep 14, 2012

The Mataano Spring 2013 show during New York Fashion Week on Tuesday was brimming with positive vibes and packed to the rafters with fashionable people. Landmark on the Park, a remarkable old church, was outfitted with rows of seats and a performance space for singer Wynter Gordon to appear after the show — a perfect setting for blacks in culture and entertainment to convene.

Mataano, a line launched in 2008 by Somali twins Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim, is still in its infancy stages, but has already received high praise. Oprah gave them her seal of approval on her eponymous show the same year Mataano premiered. Since then, their releases have been lauded by outlets as varied as Vogue Italia and The New York Times.

In their sixth collection, the Mataano Spring 2013 show displayed a gentle aesthetic. “We went back to a softer, girlier path for Spring,” Idyl Mohallim told theGrio about the sisters’ inspiration. “The starting point was the beach — from the collection’s color palette, which consists of Ocean Mist, Green Coral, White Yacht, Sand and Sun –to the spare, no-frills silhouettes. We wanted the kind of easy, flowy pieces women can throw in their suitcases when traveling to the beaches of Malibu, Mombasa or St. Barts.”

With marquee models such as Sessilee Lopez and Ayan Elmi leading the pack, the runway display was certainly breezy and feminine. Lanky women dazzled in translucent, simple separates. “We showed dresses in color-blocked silk, loose fitting pants with ultra-wide legs, breezy organza tops and silk, printed dresses,” Mohallim detailed about the looks.

Celebrity guests included Project Runway alum Korto Momolu, who held her own Fashion Week presentation only days before, and model Shaun Ross, who made a splash in Katy Perry’s video for “E.T.” Other attendees such as Bravo television’s Chef Roblé came out not only to support the Mohallim twins — he also provided the festivity’s tasty treats.

“Working with Roblé and Co. to cater and produce the event really took a regular fashion show and made it an experience. With so many shows going on during New York Fashion Week, it was important that our guests not only enjoy the show, but the event as a whole,” Mohallim said of the collaboration.

People did more than just enjoy it. Whoops of applause went up as each stunning model worked the runway. Essence magazine beauty director Corynne Corbett loved the fashion as much as the party.