Women's
The Resurgence of Ronaldus Shamask
Sketch by Rondalus Shamask for Spring 2012
Ronaldus Shamask‘s clients have enjoyed his modernist designs for the past 34 years, whether or not he showed at New York Fashion Week. He did not, for 10 years. But his return to the catwalk in September was warmly welcomed by the press, much as he was welcomed at the Downtown Dallas Neiman Marcus store the other day.
Designer Ronaldus Shamask at the Downtown Dallas store.
NM: Did your Spring collection feel special, like a big move forward?
RS: Yes, the most exciting thing about showing again is that everything comes together [to create an ideal.] The overall feeling of my Spring collection was extremely casual and relaxed, which is why the models walked the runway in flip-flops. The beginning of the show reflected what I call “desert zen.” The liquid gold and natural straw silk fabrics represented health and tranquility. The mood slowly shifted as more black, textured evening pieces followed. Lastly, the finale represents what I call “Piet Mondrian meets Superwoman.” There were a mix of fabrics – leather, suede and chiffon. We wanted to make the collection a little more fashion-forward, because everyone wants to participate in fashion.
NM: How has fashion changed since you started?
RS: It comes full circle. It’s a retro moment right now. Everyone is looking in their trunk and seeing what they have. The problem with retro is that it has to be reinterpreted, because lifestyles change, hair has changed and makeup has changed. The luxury, for me, is having been around so long, I can steal from myself. [Laughs.] This really is an archival moment but it has to be interpreted.
The biggest difference today is the online media. It is so important and so fast, it’s incredible. The press really has embraced me and they’ve been kind and supportive. One thing I’ve learned is to not take anything for granted.
"Piet Mondrian meets Superwoman"
NM: Why did you decide to show again this year?
RS: I felt that I never really needed to show because I had my client base. It felt like a distraction. At this point, I thought it was best to go back to my roots, the way I used to design. I wanted to enlarge my client base and having designed more fashion forward pieces, I felt it was an important time to show. Plus, you aren’t alive if you aren’t part ego and part fun. Right?
Look 49 from Spring 2012 (front)
Look 49 from Spring 2012 (back)
Shop Shamask at NeimanMarcus.com or select Neiman Marcus stores.
