Sunday, September 11, 2011

New York Fashion Week Coverage

Yigal Azrouel Spring 2012

Yigal Azrouel has so mastered minimalism that it immediately forces the observer to look closer. Understandably, there is always more than meets the eye, and in Azrouel's case, the mastery lies in the cut and the fabrics. Even stiff leather, in Azrouel's capable hands, achieves a flowing undulation of movement on the runway.

This collection is an exercise in balance. Heavy, crinkly leather trousers were balanced with soft, sheer blouses. Short shorts revealed bare legs, but were paired with long-sleeve printed sweaters that covered the arms. A dress with a plunging neckline is met with a skirt with a thigh-high slit. A cropped sweater rests atop a high-waisted pair of wide-leg trousers. Through this balancing act, Azrouel infuses his collection with a rich sense of thoughtfulness – this is getting dressed by way of intelligent design.

Though the silhouette was either exaggeratedly long or extremely short, there were a few midi-length skirts in the mix. Azrouel also worked with some beautiful colors, like shades of electric blue and red. In fact, there was a blunt-edged electric blue coat that cut straight lines into the pantsuit it was worn over and the effect was amazing. Azrouel proves you don't have to go overboard to have a viable collection.

written by GRACE GORDON|photos: courtesy of GoRunway

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