There were major European vacation vibes at Skall Studio’s spring show. Helping to set the mood was a playlist that included songs in Italian and French, the garden location, and the collection title, Villa Skall. This year marks sisters Julie and Marie Skall’s 10th year in business and you can feel that they are at home in what they do. They are also lovely hosts who today offered viewers a glimpse of a peaceful summer idyll, whether your dream is dancing barefoot on the grass at sunset or relaxing on the Greek islands, or touring Rome.
There was an air of loveliness to this collection that was more than surface. Natural fibers are the sisters’ go-to, and this outing was about 95% mono fibers. Also mono was the palette of white, beige, and black, with a single dash of peach. “Sometimes we call ourselves sophisticated bohemians,” Julie said in a pre-show interview. “We have this huge amount of inspiration from the late ’60s going into the ’70s.” This easy-breezy aspect of the brand was countered by more tailored pieces with more of an emphasis on the waist. “We love classic design, but we are also very feminine,” Julie added. Falling into the boho category were light dresses with embroidery or lace-insets, which were lovely, if overly familiar.
For her bow, Marie wore the smart-looking tailored vest and pants set in black that was one of the key looks in the show. Tank and skirt sets cut on the bias were noteworthy; the one in cream boasted a pretty corsage. Denim is a new and promising category for the brand; the jean shorts and cord-trimmed jacket looked fresh, and you can’t go wrong with a white shirt and cropped khakis tied at the waist with a printed scarf. Reflecting on the brand’s trajectory, Julie said, “I think we’ve been very good at being true to ourselves.”
