“It’s about having fun and being more experimental,” Talia Byre said of the thinking behind spring at a preview. Her new collection, Don’t Think Twice—named after Joan Baez’s 1963 rendition of Bob Dylan’s song—twisted her burgeoning namesake brand’s signatures with confidence. “We’ve gone bolder and sexier,” said Byre. “It felt right to push out of our comfort zone a bit more—there s a feeling of self-assurance.”
Sexier was certainly the case, as the show unfolded at London’s Tenderbooks store in Soho. Bandeaus, corset tops, and strapless going-out dresses felt distinctly alluring, but without compromising the off-center, demure essence that the designer excels at. The silhouettes of her shirting remained consistent with previous seasons, characterized by prominent shoulders, cinched waists and elongated sleeves. This time, those pieces incorporated a chest peekaboo detail, revealing a subtle hint of skin. Balloon hot pants in vibrant shades were a fun addition to the lineup.
There were twin-sets, consisting of zip-up jackets and full skirts with pockets crafted from high-shine nylons that were not only lightweight but also durable. The tactile experience of these garments brushing against the skin as models walked the intimate runway added an extra layer of sensory pleasure. Layering also played a pivotal role, with the integration of stacked black and white striped illusion knits and the addition of a sheer polka-dotted tulle overlay.
This season, Byre introduced the Bolter, the brand’s first bag. At a glance, this leather accessory may appear as two distinct clutch and shoulder bags, but upon closer examination, it seamlessly transforms into a practical single piece ideal for everyday use. She remarked, “It’s a proper bag that’s for people who are always on the move.”
For the color palette, the designer drew inspiration from mystical sources, notably referencing Annie Besant’s 1905 book, Thought Forms. She assigned intellectual significance to yellow, associated affection with pink, and denoted spirituality with lavender, among others. These choices manifested in knit separates, a hallmark of the Talia Byre brand, where various hues were combined to create wearable talismanic pieces.
