Slightly off-kilter

The first time I came across the Costello Tagliapietra brand was more than a year ago. They had this Designer Collaboration with Uniqlo and I was able to buy a few pieces.



What's nice about the brand's aesthetic is that it's dramatic without being over the top. All they do is add an off-kilter detail to create something interesting from something that's otherwise plain.

Take for instance this piece. The boat neckline is quite high and there's subtle draping in the chest area. If you look at it closely, it doesn't look like much.



But if you see the dress in its entirety, these details add volumes to how the dress falls and looks. Ate Bullet tried this dress on and it looks stunning.



Speaking of slightly off-kilter, the designers of the brand are the perfect epitome of that. You'd think Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra are slim, well-chiseled and well-mannered designers in the mold of other designing duos like Proenza Schouler, Dolce & Gabbana, and Badgley Mishka.

But no. Just look at Costello and Tagliapietra.



How's that for unexpected?