How do you take frivolity and make it into rigidity? Not that frivolity is always a bad thing but it does have the tendency to be 'trendy' and 'of the moment'. Not that that's a bad thing either. We are all drawn to trends in some small or large capacities, however I feel it's always a stronger and more lasting impact when the presentation of said trends come at you in a desirably solid fashion (no pun intended).
I've always said that the approach to menswear is more solid than womenswear. The tailoring, handwork and attention to shaping mathematic is only often seen is higher fashioned womenswear such as black labels and couture. The classically adopted slow-evolving shapes of menswear allow it to have a timeless air. For this reason, whenever I see a womenswear collection that takes cues from the learned distinguished insight of menswear, I'm intrigued. When I see that same collection also appeal to the desires and fascinations of women, I'm intrigued with a smile.
The Façonnable Women's 2014 Cruise Collection made me smile. It not only made sense in a simple way but I could also see the appeal it will have to different women. The frivolity was evident, but no less desirous, and rolled in with the island sea floor color palette. The perfectly sweet deep corals, tropical oranges, Caribbean teals, lemony yellows and oceanic blues all offered in easy to integrate stripes and sun-kissed vibrancy. The rigidity takes form in the crisp shapes and tailoring that just look right either dressed up or down.
The focal point for the striped trousers was a mariner-like drawstring waist that looked fresh when paired with crisp shirtings and easy color-blocked knits. Outerwear was pristine and exciting with a leather-trimmed hooded bomber jacket, a coolly executed off-white shrunken balmacaan style jacket and a refreshing orange and deep orange trenchcoat. The striping on a navy short suit's waistband and on the backs of easy-fitting blazers were a nice 'look-twice' surprise to the ordinary tailoring route. The simple blocking on the dresses were clean enough to handle a bevy of accessories and textures like leather and other exotics.
The accessories like sweet straw fedoras, coordinating short printed scarves and candy dot belts were pieces that could be integrated for season with other pieces which gave their interchangeability a timeless feel. It's seems fitting that the collection was inspired by Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" for like the book this was a colorful voyage with a classic feeling endurance.
