cirque spring/summer 2008

carioca

thanks to cirque designer alfonsina ladogana we can now add a modern dash of style from the americas south of the border to the influx of taco shops, capoeira practitioners & brazilian bikinis that have been recent additions to the islands' melting pot.

the buenos aires-raised designer spent her childhood watching her grandmother make everything from winter coats to blouses for her family. the sewing skills alfonsina learned as a young girl eventually helped lay the foundation for cirque, the latin-inspired accessory collection which she launched after settling in hawaii a few years ago.

the designs first take shape in honolulu and then are dispatched to argentina where the belts are made by local craftspeople. alfonsina works with leather suppliers from her homeland who process the hides in a humane and eco-friendly way which means cows are pasture raised for market (argentina's world famous grass fed beef) and the processing of the leather is done in a way to minimize its impact on the environment.

jazz sash

 tango sash two ways

if, like me, you are a bit clueless about mixing in accessories, take a peek at the website which is filled with style ideas on the many ways a cirque belt can make an outfit pop.

an online shop is in the works so for now you will have to be content with clicking over to the stockist list to locate your nearest boutique.