Tadashi Shoji SS17
The feel at the Tadashi Shoji SS17 Ready to Wear show at New York Fashion Week was, above all, feminine. The American-based designer best known for his elegant evening gowns delivered yet another collection of dramatic delicacies. Most of the dresses showcased the models silhouettes with sharp cuts and dramatic lines, while the ornate and delicate textiles offered a softer touch.
Revealing necklines and sheer lace emerged throughout, but there were some more modest dresses as well-- flowing bohemian frocks and a classic red floral midi-dress come to mind.
With this kind of versatility, it's easy to see why Tadashi Shoji is a red-carpet favorite among such diverse celebrities as Florence Welch, Octavia Spencer, and First Lady Michelle Obama.
The floral patterns and feather accents featured over the course of the show were strongly rooted in the natural world while still managing to be ethereal. This matches perfectly with the concept that Shoji cites as his design inspiration. When interviewed by Vogue UK backstage, the designer said that “It’s about rising up from earth, and leaving it all behind...and turning into something beautiful out there.”
That is just what he did with this collection. While the smokey pink monochrome eyelids and collarbone-reaching statement earrings sported by the models were eye-catching in and of themselves, it was the clothes they accessorized that really did the talking.
Huge thank you to my friend Richard “Parlay” Copier of Hip-Hop/R&B duo, Benatton for covering the show on my behalf. Treat your ears to Benatton and be sure to follow Rich on Instagram: @blueyedbenatton.