The work of Argentine artist Lucio Fontana was the jumping-off point for Jeremy Laing s Spring collection. Laing referenced Fontana s monochrome, slashed canvasses by taking the knife (OK, shears) to his clothes, creating precise, controlled slits and slices in dresses and shells. The slits served a functional purpose in one charmeuse tube dress, expanding as the wearer moved so she wouldn t be hobbled as she walked. This dress, like others, was layered with a wispy chiffon "tank" that provided, at best, an unusual cobweb effect. At worst, it looked a little witchy (Edward Scissorhands also came to mind). On their own the dresses were quite pretty, especially those subtly studded with Swarovski crystals; most of the chiffon pieces were layered separates. Several day looks with a clean, geometric appeal—including a cropped nylon top with a low, rounded back that managed to look both sporty and conceptual—were proof that, all in all, Laing s shape-based construction served him well.
