Tuesday, September 13, 2011

New York Fashion Week Coverage

Preen Spring 2012

In Virginia Woolf’s novel Orlando, she writes that clothes, “change our view of the world and the world’s view of us.” Through clothing, we express identity, and the identity that Preen expressed on their SS12 runway is different than their previous collections. Instead of an underlying masculine basis, this collection was purely feminine and very streamlined – a departure, to be certain, but also a mark of maturity.

It comes as no surprise that this womanly collection was inspired by the feminist novelist Virginia Woolf. Woolf’s recurring theme of women defying the confines of social expectation, even while appearing on the surface to obey the rules and strictures of society, can be reflected on Preen’s SS12 runway. The restricting silhouettes were undone by the flounce of a tiny peplum hip, or the electrifying configurations of digital prints on the silk dresses. Unusual pairings of prints and textures conveyed the message, “Yes, I care about fashion, but I’m doing things my way.” If based on the prints alone, Preen’s collection could be called a success, but the entire show was a thrilling exercise in thoughtful fashion.

written by GRACE GORDON|photos: courtesy of GoRunway

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