Enveloping the latest Kallmeyer collection is a gentle, luxurious aura, showcased within the artist’s sun-drenched SoHo studio. Daniella Kallmeyer describes her aesthetic as “romantic tailoring,” emphasizing the delicate interplay of vintage-inspired textures and modern silhouettes. Her designs evoke a sense of timeless elegance, blending nostalgic details with contemporary sensibilities. For example, a sleek, narrow maxi coat adorned with minimalist silver buttons, ending just at the waist, was crafted to complement a flowing silk dress with asymmetrical hems that sway gracefully with movement, creating a striking visual statement.
Kallmeyer’s approach to fashion transcends mere color and shape; she emphasizes expressive gestures that invite wearers to interact with her garments in a personal way. Her pieces serve as a stage for self-expression, allowing clients to interpret and style them according to their unique perspectives and skills. A tailored, slender jacket features internal slits along the sleeves that extend above the elbows-designed for those who prefer to wear crisp button-down shirts with cuffs undone, letting the fabric cascade in a dramatic, fluid manner. Meanwhile, an oversized silk organza shirt reveals delicate lace peeking out from beneath the cuffs, adding a subtle layer of intricacy.
One of the standout pieces, a reversible cashmere coat, draws inspiration from Isaac Mizrahi’s sketches of an “embrace-me coat,” capturing the essence of comfort and coziness. Kallmeyer recalls her fascination with the idea of being perpetually wrapped in warmth, demonstrating this by slipping the coat on and off, flipping it inside out to reveal its dual-tone design in navy and “mink” cashmere. She extended this concept to a cropped jacket paired with a matching wrap mini skirt-an ensemble that exudes vitality and sensuality, especially when layered with the coat, creating a dynamic, layered silhouette that radiates confidence and allure.
While her designs often flirt with whimsy, Kallmeyer balances playfulness with sophistication. Her collection includes a striking leather bomber jacket featuring a funnel neck and voluminous sleeves, perfect for a modern, edgy look. She also showcases a velvet piece printed with masks, exuding an air of refined maturity, alongside quasi-acid wash denim patterned to resemble fur, blending rugged texture with artistic flair. An off-white shearling coat adds a cozy yet luxurious touch, perfect for colder seasons. Her palette extends to rich shades of chocolate brown, vibrant magenta, and ultramarine blue-highlighted by a particularly stunning short-sleeved shirt in the bold blue, exemplifying her mastery of combining decadence with wearable art.
