When one thinks of famed French New Wave filmmaker Éric Rohmer, pleasant beaches, laid-back lounging and a unique palette of prime-time colors come to mind. Stills from his films turn perfect summer days into fall mood boards. Inspired Derek Lam Crosby’s early deliveries this season. It translates into relaxed summer dresses and features a collection of wallpaper floral print pieces that set the tone for simple chic looks with a hint of nostalgia. What best evokes this glamorous late-summer vibe is uncannily soft light-wash denim – a growing business for Crosby – paired with beautiful jersey T-shirts and sophisticated tweed jackets.
Later deliveries, in earthy neutrals and muted tones of lilac and green, hit their “early fall” denominations, taking cues from Rohmer1998The Story of Autumn. The standouts in this section are tailored pieces with tonal crochet detailing, but pleated dresses in prints and monochrome fabrics will appeal to Derek Lam’s original clientele. Shawn Reddy, the label’s vice president of design, has achieved what he calls “preset styles” with easy-to-wear pieces like an embroidered white tweed jacket, or summer staples like jeans and breezy dresses. “wardrobe.
The characters in Rohmer’s films are usually young people in their twenties. While the collection captures their youthful, romantic vibe, each piece is grown-up enough to be worn from summer resort wear to city dweller everyday.
