Tadashi Shoji played to his strengths for Pre-Fall with a consistent collection of his best-selling cocktail dresses and evening gowns, several of which are bound to wind up on the red carpet during awards season. According to Shoji, the season s shapes were "soft and feminine, fusing carefree ease and sophistication," and the jewel-tone color palette was inspired by "the glazes of Ottoman tile work." That made for a lineup that was predictably pretty and flattering, if at times repetitive. The designer moved in a modern direction with flared, knee-length frocks, and strapless sheaths cut from trendy neoprene featuring lace-like perforations. Elsewhere, he incorporated real lace into his signature occasionwear. It came paneled on floor-skimming column gowns with long sleeves, and was used as an accent on a handful of separates, including a Georgette peasant blouse and a slim pencil skirt. Overall, the collection could ve benefited from a wider variety of silhouettes—there was nary a pair of pants in sight here.
