Candela’s Gabriela Perezutti is a master
multitasker. Having been raised on a ranch in Uruguay, Perezutti—a former
model, as well as a mother of twins—not only designs her laid-back contemporary
clothing range but also runs one of her family’s estancias, maintaining
over eighty horses from five thousand miles away. The two aren’t completely
disconnected—in fact, the former has a hand in inspiring the latter.
Perezutti
launched Candela (which means “light” in Spanish) in 2004, after seeing a
gritty 1971 photograph of her mother riding a bucking bronco. The photo now
hangs in Perezutti’s Soho studio, alongside other vintage family snapshots that
serve as reminders of her gaucho roots—roots that have a notable influence on
her collections.
“I always do the [gaucho] reference, but not in an obvious
way. I balance romantic, soft things with pieces that have a rustic edge to
them, so the look isn’t too precious. Styling is important in that sense,” she
said at a preview of her new Resort 2014 collection.
Staying true to the brand’s aesthetic, the latest lineup includes pieces such
as feminine lace gowns and tiered skirts, hand-beaded jackets, and embroidered
tunics based on ones her grandmother used to own. Knits—which were shown in
breezy pastels for Resort—are a growing category for Candela, thanks to their
reasonable price point (around $300).
Another popular category for the brand is
footwear, which now accounts for 50 percent of Candela’s sales. This season, a
pair of zigzagging suede pumps with clear PVC details (read killer toe
cleavage) were a definite highlight. It’s refreshing to see someone do the
Western-bohemian thing from a completely honest point of view. Perezutti isn’t
trying to be trendy—she’s just designing what she knows.
Candela is sold at Saks Fifth Avenue, Satine, and Shopbop, among other retailers. Visit www.candelanyc.com for more information.
Candela is sold at Saks Fifth Avenue, Satine, and Shopbop, among other retailers. Visit www.candelanyc.com for more information.
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