In a preview of the Fall 2009 season, Tracy Reese used a brilliant term to describe her post-Impressionist inspired collection. “Rustic chic” packs a wonderful imagery of romance and a modern take on the countryside. With reference to Vuillard and Van Gogh, we look forward to distinctive “paint stokes” of patterns, distorted silhouettes, and vivid colours.
Reese’s layered prints create a visual feast from head to toe. Pink floral secretary blouses were tucked into high-waisted tapered pinstripe pants. Unbuttoned herringbone blazers flapped with carefree ease over a cornucopia of dark blossoms. Oversized sweater tunics and jackets both cropped and long offer a touch of glamour. Rich tones include lime, “basil green” and raspberry.
Sweet ruffles and knee-length black stockings bring an artistic mood, something you expect from congregating painters and poets at the corner café. Velvet and fur trimmed outerwear make for a perfect day at the Musée du Louvre. Striking accessories include feathered amulets, detachable fur collars, swinging black pearls and leather elbow-length gloves. And you can’t go wrong with dark-rimmed eyewear either, which adorned every look from the elegant – a glossy teal cocktail dress and a black lace-embellished persimmon tank dress – to the academia – boxy blazers and high collar cardigan twinsets.
– Tiffany Chang
Designer Thuy Diep offered a refreshing and organic collection for Fall 2009, with emphasis on bold hues and languid lines. Rich teals and peacock greens punched through the pewter and black foundation. Form-fitting dresses and coats were also incorporated, although carrying a sort of effortless detailing seen in the “uneven embellishments” of side drawstring ruching, off-balanced pleats, and asymmetrical zippers and piping.
80’s influences and the Miss Sixty show gave birth to a fabulous love child. The spring show in September played into this collection as well, keeping the flower child aura. But this time the berets, much like the rest of the collection, were made of substantial beautiful leathers. The Fall collection amped up the attitude and the fun, like a rumble between Hillbillies and Hell’s Angels. Latter parts of the show gave way to patent puffer dresses and magazine cover prints reminiscent of 60’s pop art.
