"This is the non-inspiration season," Julian Louie said at his temporary studio (he s currently sharing space with friend Pamela Love) the day after a video presentation of his collection at The Box. Rather than explore some far-flung theme, the designer said he "started with color."
Beginning with the basics—a primary palette of red, yellow, and blue—Louie first took on shoes, the third collection he s made in collaboration with Aldo. Last season s ikat wedges were picked up for production, and this season s color-blocked heels, with elements of deconstructed Top-Siders and loafers, should fare equally well. Super-cute is the only way to describe them.
The clothes got color-blocked, too. A camel and gray paneled wool peacoat had geometric insets in lacquered black cotton and an oversize baby blue plastic zipper. Cheeky and cool, it made you think of Legos, in a good way. The crepe de chine tops, reminiscent of men s dress shirts, had printed cotton sleeves and contrasting fabric across the shoulders. And a simple notch-front vest in eye-catching red would be one good way to get your color fix.
