The addition of two British Blue Shorthair cats to the household of Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro inspired a feline theme for the couple s comeback presentation. Shapes were shift-simple; fabrics were luxe but light (Smedley Sea Island cotton was introduced as an alternative to the label s signature cashmere). But the essence of the collection was its charming embellishment: the print composed of Warhol cats, the appliqué that looked like wicked cartoon kitties from the fifties. The cats eyes were edged in zippers, dramatic on a pink cardigan. The same zippers were used with pearls to refashion the cashmere Union Jack sweater that is a Clements Ribeiro classic, and with organza to re-create abstract Japanese landscapes on a white gazar dress. The play between soft and hard was seductive. After a period of professional confusion, Clements and Ribeiro are now producing their clothes in the same Brittany factory that makes Chanel and YSL. Was it too obvious to assume a Breton edge to the striped dress with the sailor buttons, or the cardigans that closed with fisherman s toggles? Clements thought so. Her own predilection is for the "skewiff" glamour of the fallen aristo. And such a creature would surely find much to please her in Clements Ribeiro s collection for ultrachic cat ladies.
