Wren is one of those brands that doesn t really move with the shifting tides of fashion. If prints are out, designer Melissa Coker is still going to mix stripes with florals—and a smattering of lace, for good measure. The same goes for spaghetti-strap dresses and short shorts. She doesn t cater to high-end shoppers or try to emulate the runways—for her, it s more about celebrating a fun, laid-back L.A. lifestyle. With dozens of retailers and famous fans like Clémence Poésy on her side, the quiet approach seems to be working like a charm.
For Fall, Coker indulged her love of leopard with a range of cat prints, from graphic black-and-gray spots to mashed-up prints of varying sizes. (Take one look at the video and you ll see just how important kitties are to this label.) These weren t exactly big developments—print-mixing and leopard are two of Wren s signatures—but Coker lifted inspiration from the 1990 flick The Grifters for a sultry edge. "Annette Bening s wardrobe, in particular, was amazing," said Coker. (Think skintight dresses, silk leopard scarves, and lots of black.) The 90s are certainly having a moment, so Coker was on the right track with faded jean jackets and stretchy crop tops. However, the cutest look consisted of a high-waisted leopard-print skirt with thick suspenders: Loyal shoppers will have a field day wearing it with their Langley Fox x Wren kitten T-shirts.
