Photos by Walter Grio. Paris. More photos below.
Text by Baille Gelwicks.
Tsumori Chisato’s collection was a combination of whimsy and sophistication. Whimsical prints and sophisticated silhouettes made the fun reserved and the reserved fun; juxtaposition creates balance. Aside from the blatantly obvious ocean inspired lobsters, Under-the-sea references could be seen throughout the entire collection. Slicked down hair looked fresh-from-a-swim wet. Trumpet bottom skirts and dresses that mimicked the fan tails of fish, scale printed silk pants and even an ode to the clown fish in an over sized striped suit and bow tie. A brief transition away from the ocean motif lent to ghost printed capes and graphic polka-dots and stripes.
Undulating wave prints created abstract designs on silk dresses and dark, heavy coats. What seemed to be a water color painted fabric in gray was accompanied by the outlines of pale red lobsters. Lobsters showed up again in less of a child-like form on skirts and tops in alternating red and white. Glitter and velvet showed that even the whimsiest of patterns could be dressed up for evening. The coral reef took its turn in the limelight in sorbet shades, which proved to be the most wearable of the entire collection. A sweater dress complete with pom-poms with an array of colorful sea life and sequins will remind you of beach vacation weather during the dark grays of winter. King of quirky, Chisato always manages to pull out a collection that leaves you wondering how something so odd can look so adorably attractive.
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