Juan Carlos Obando, sponsored by Swarovski this season, was one of the few designers to tackle the futuristic for Spring 2011. A collection that belongs in both the pages of Vogue as much as it does in the pages of V, it was Mad Men-meets-Martians, if you will. And I liked it.

Obando, who is based in Los Angeles, sent out thick silk fabric that was almost plush in its design–kind of like a very, very thin puffy coat. And with prints that reminded me of outer space. (The Swarovski element was present in the black rhinestone beading purposefully sprinkled on the back of a few dresses–it was highly effective.)

While the prints were futuristic, the silhouettes were pure vintage. Plenty of peplums and tulip skirts–my favorites.

Obando’s been seeing buyers at the Swarovski showroom over the course of the week. We’re betting his pieces will be stocked in even more retailers come next spring.

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