I love when designers opt to showcase their collection at a presentation. The energy is calmer, the clothes are more accessible, and it is so much more time efficient (no standing in line, sitting and waiting, and then having to wait to get out as fast as possible to avoid the inevitable crush of editors, the way it happens at runway shows).
Jenni Kayne has always shown in the presentation format. Last season, she chose a gorgeous townhouse and filled it with stunning models and live music. This season, the location of the presentation was a bit lackluster: a room at Industria photo studios, subdued music, and faceless mannequins in place of models. It was an austere environment for a collection that was playing on the dichotomy of masculine verse feminine dressing. The ying may not have equaled the yang at the location, but it couldn’t be ignored in the clothes. As usual there were long dresses, the most notable being a floor-length watercolor floral dress with a distressed brown belt at the waist and a solid yellow number with an oversized navy v-neck sweater layered on top. Other favorites included a small black bandeau top under a jacket and sequin skirt paired with a white semi-sheer button-down.
Jenni Kayne’s collections never fail to fulfill my desire for laid-back elegance and this season was no exception. I would happily, giddily, fill my closet exclusively with Jenni Kayne looks.
