Playing with irreverence
Tory Burch has let herself be inspired by the fearlessness and irreverence of Katharine Hepburn’s character in “The Philadelphia Story” for her Autumn-Winter 2017 collection.
The new arrival collection presents outdoor glamour combined with a confident femininity and a modern take on the familiar style. “We played with the idea of Fair Isle knits, barn jackets and winter whites and thought about contrast, creating variations on a theme: plaid tweeds, prints and enlarged in shearling. Accessories complete the story, from bow shoes and soft men’s briefcases to a pendant necklace inspired by my father’s cigarette lighter,” says Burch, herself a Philadelphia native.
The collection’s silhouettes fuse masculine and feminine elements, evoking Philadelphia’s chic outdoor glamour. A blouse with an exaggerated bow tops menswear-inspired pants with a refined fit while a sporty bomber is paired with a pleated skirt. Sweaters, from Fair Isle to cardigans, have a nostalgic appeal, but the play on proportion is relevant for today. Eveningwear, jumpsuits and easy long-sleeved gowns, epitomise tomboy chic.
Winter white and black are the main colours and complement a warm palette of golden age, classic camel, rust, port, grassland green as well as touches of a bold blue.
While the prints and patterns features old-school checks and plaids balance chintz-style florals, whimsical ballerina print references the works of Edgar Degas at The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia.
Classic materials are updated with an unexpected twist. A plaid is interpreted in different ways, from wool to shearling to silk threaded with lurex yarn. Floral appliques, corduroy strips, pearl buttons and oversized monograms, inspired by Tory Burch’s father, Buddy, bring rich texture to traditional materials, like tweed, silk and velvet.
Prints carry through to accessories. Elegant heels take on menswear-inspired details, like loafer-like fringes and broguing, while an unstructured briefcase is printed with the first stanza of Ithaka, an homage to the designer’s family history. Delicate earrings and industrial rings round out the collection.
Discover the latest collection at Tory Burch Boutiques at Siam Paragon, Central Chidlom, and The EmQuartier.
