Freedom and independence were the words Cédric Charlier bandied about today, as he talked about the inspiration he gleaned from a recent travel jaunt. A word he might have used, as well, was romance: Charlier s calf-grazing plissé skirts, fuzzy sweaters and bouclé coats, and emphasis on blush and silver gave this collection a kind of daydream-y quality that felt new from this designer. There were plenty of matter-of-fact items as well, like the blue button-down with rounded shoulders worn with matching narrow cropped pants, and a boxy silk jumpsuit. These were typically sharp. Likewise, Charlier s pop colors and printed neoprenes added the electric kick he likes in his collections. But the neoprene itself was notably soft—satiny, almost—and the blocked dresses with black strap detailing had a gentler attitude than the similar looks he showed on his runway for Spring. He s not a designer in any danger of oversugaring his clothes, but in this instance, a little sweetness went a long way.
