If anyone had any doubts that the design team of Inacio Ribeiro and Suzanne Clements could move beyond dainty cashmere sweaters, this collection ought to dispel them. The couple s Spring show could be best described as sweet and vicious, pairing feminine, delicate looks with hard-edged, punk-inspired ensembles.
Draping and gathering, a key element this season, showed up on floral-printed dolman-sleeved tops and billowy, mercilessly short dresses. Blazers were sharply nipped and strong-shouldered, worn with black, unforgiving fitted trousers, eyelet-studded belts and vertiginous heels. Formerly innocent gingham prints were also given a makeover: a translucent, one-shoulder checker dress looked dangerously sexy. Even more overtly brazen looks included a rugby shirt with a black bikini bottom and several mesh tops that left practically nothing to the imagination.
The collection was certainly a daring one for Clements Ribeiro, and in less capable hands it may have veered toward the vulgar. As it turned out, it was a success.
