Monsanto’s Autumn-Winter ’22 collection is ‘wilderness’ in vibrant colors

Fashion designer Alexis Bong Monsanto with models at LA Fashion Week ’22. CONTRIBUTED

LOS ANGELES—Vibrant colors and glimpses of the wilderness flowed on the courtyard garden of Yamashiro Hollywood when Alexis Bong Monsanto presented his Autumn-Winter ’22 collection during LA Fashion Week.

The Filipino American fashion designer was inspired by gender archetypes and antitypes, from Rita Hayworth to Lil Nas, and featured men and women’s wear reminiscent of the 1950s.

Presenting vividly colored suits with cuffed trousers worn with faux fur, sunglasses and cape tops over pencil, suede coat tops and trousers, and ostrich hi-lo gowns, Monsanto also paid tribute to the Japanese landmark in Hollywood. Built in the early 1900s, Yamashiro was the officers’ club site in the Marlon Brando 1957 classic “Sayonara” and a filming location for the 2016 thriller “Nocturnal Animals.”

“I couldn’t imagine a more cinematic backdrop for my collection and my cast of LA models, and everything is made here in Los Angeles,” said Monsanto, who noted that the suits for both men and women were made by a men’s tailor.

“I threw away all the conventions. All the suits button the same way, like classic men’s suits, for girls and boys. I wanted to throw all that away.”

Presenting vividly colored suits with cuffed trousers worn with faux fur, sunglasses and cape tops over pencil, suede coat tops and trousers, and ostrich hi-lo gowns, Monsanto also paid tribute to the Japanese landmark in Hollywood. CONTRIBUTED

The result is a bold collection called “Jewels of Dreams” showcasing unique pleating, popcorn shirring and classic sunburst adding texture on the fabrics. Monsanto used intensifying color hues like avocado, burnt orange, purple, magenta, burgundy, teal, mustard, turquoise, and hunter green. His collection also had a more timeless and classic look in blacks, whites, grays and nudes.

“I show when I can and all my clothes are season less,” Monsanto said. “I want to build my fashion house in a classic LA couture tradition.”

Monsanto’s studio is along Melrose Avenue in LA.