Oh, the havoc I would wreak on the world if I one day had the opportunity to grace a room wearing a Lela Rose gown. I imagine a ballroom filled with tuxedoed gentlemen turning their heads and gaping at me in wonderment, asking themselves, have we really just been blessed by the presence of such an elegantly adorned creature? I would turn toward them and smile serenely, as if to say, “Why yes, gentlemen. Indeed you have.”
I have this feeling every time I see a Lela Rose show, and somehow the ensembles get better and better each time. For the Spring/Summer 2015 season, Rose was inspired by traditional Japanese kimonos, seeking to modernize and rethink the garment through geometric prints, cut-outs, and bright colors. Rose also used whites and beiges throughout the collection, and a silken ivory ball-length shirtdress was one piece in particular that had me drooling. I also thought I was going to lose my brain when a geometric beaded gown wound its way down the runway, its dark beads laid on top of a shimmering light nude tone. I think I openly gaped at its beauty. As I’ve likely written before about Rose, not only is her taste level impeccable and remarkably high, but she is so thoughtful in her details. For example, one white cocktail dress was printed with neon yellow flowers, only to have the lining of the dress printed in that same neon yellow, visible only when the model swished past during the show. Details like these, to me, are little gifts Rose gives us, further bursts of fabulous dotting an already outstanding collection.
Complimenting the ensembles in Rose’s collection were makeup by Tina Turnbow for Beauty.com using Kevyn Aucoin cosmetics, hair by Esther Langham for Beauty.com using Alterna Haircare and T3 Tools, and nails by Butter London for Beauty.com. Turnbow used a navy winged eyeliner complemented by a soft peach lip, while Langham turned to a blown-out ponytail with hair drawn across the forehead in an artful swoop and tied at the nape of the neck.
Take a look at some of my favorite pieces in the collection here and see some pictures below, all by moi, or view the collection in full here at New York magazine’s The Cut.