Light yet textured, the Alberta Ferretti Spring 2022 RTW collection reaffirms the tropes of an unmistakable style, which reconciles opposites in ineffable harmony. Lengths are extreme: very short, or extended and floating. Volumes are soft, airy, or else they sculpt the silhouette. Garments are layered to cover, impalpably, or they are reduced to uncover, leaving a side, the back, the waist in view. Colors are soft and natural, or they light up in the vivid glow of precious stones – ruby, turquoise, emerald, amethyst – to subside in the seductive placidity of black.

It is a sinuous and undulating movement, which starts with liquid dusters worn with crochet tops and trousers with deep pleats, continues with short pleated tabliers, blouses worn with long skirts layered over trousers. Jackets with a masculine feel have an elongated and decidedly feminine allure. Macro sangallo embroideries run through dresses and jumpsuits. Fringes dance, move, seduce. Knotting, weaving, draping are a recurring motif: top, dresses and trousers in handcrocheted cord; long and short dresses held together by resin inserts; crinolines molded into feminine armor; and then small woven leather bags and flat wedge sandals tied around the foot.

The butterfly, the only print, a symbol of rebirth and metamorphosis, captures the spirit of the collection. Its colors inspire pictorial degraded effects on evening dresses; its lightness guides a choice of materials ranging from silk and fluid linens to airy and delicate chiffon.

Enter the backstage at the Alberta Ferretti Spring/Summer 2022 runwy show.