Bruce sailed into Fall with a nautical-themed show that deftly displayed the draping and construction talents of designers Daphne Gutierrez and Nicole Noselli. This Shiseido-sponsored collection, the team s tenth, featured 15 looks that each emphasized what Gutierrez described as "the freedom and lightness of the fabric."
Bruce s theme was evoked with details like cording, "sail" belts and knot-like draping. Sex appeal was in ample supply thanks to pieces like the fine net top worn, with a black tank dress, by Caroline Ribeiro. Highlights included the black pocket pants modeled by Delfine—a trimmer, refined take on slouchy hip-hop trousers. The pairing of floaty draped pieces with more substantial, almost sporty separates such as tab jeans and a car coat kept things on an even keel, with only the voluminous, multi-cowl blouses ever threatening the balance. Jody Busby s single earrings—dangling chunks of stone wrapped with thread-thin wire—added some sparkle to the somberly colored clothes, which were all rendered in a muted palette of black, smoke, taupe and teal.
This was a collection for confident sophisticates, exuding an ease and fluidity that have been finely honed over the last few seasons.
