SHOW: Tome – Resort 2017
LOCATION: The Runway, Carriageworks
DATE: May. 18
START TIME: 7PM
TOP INSTA LOOK: A patchwork leather duster jacket in dark brown, navy, gunmetal green and light brown, worn with a light blue V-neck and matching leather cropped trousers – the perfect statement piece for a drizzly New York spring day when there’s an offensive Uber surge and you’re forced unwillingly to take the subway to a meeting uptown.
BEHIND THE SCENES: Stylists creating Africa-inspired head wraps on the models, also tipped to be a big trend come summer – edgier than a flower crown and spunkier than an Alice band.
OFF PROBATION: A tailored white shirt that graced below the knee, worn under a V-neck slouchy grey knit and teamed with ruched leather trousers with a crimson tie and strappy black flats, a mature, polished ensemble that screamed fashion editor off-duty chic.
GOOD BEHAVIOUR BOND: A tailored white shirt emblazoned with an oversized navy star, worn with deconstructed denim trousers, a look that would fit as easily at home while pushing your 1.5 child stroller to coffee at De Niro’s Locanda Verde in Tribeca as after-work drinks while complaining about an upcoming deadline at Flatiron’s Ace Hotel bar. Also key was a simple one-shoulder cap sleeve flowing dress in sunflower yellow, which formed part of a diverse range of looks that appeared to resemble a complete, wearable wardrobe update for summer.
INSPIRED BY: Classically trained jazz pianist and civil rights icon Nina Simone and the black-and-white words of the late photographer Malick Sidibe. While Nina chose her stage name from the Spanish for “girl” and the French actress Simone Signoret, there was nothing childish about this grown-up collection, which had attendees sitting up just a little bit straighter in awe of the stylish lineup.
POP CULTURE-NOD: Sidibe chronicled the exuberant lives and culture, often of youth, in his native Bamako, at events, relaxing on the beach, a fight in the nightclub Happy Boys or the Surf Club, out to a concert or seducing girls. Beyond the convivial and careless atmosphere, he also illustrates the difficulty of having to adapt to life in the city. But in the case of Tome, the designers have clearly assimilated the pulse of the Big Apple, through a collection that could be envisaged as worn by power troopers ranging from Cate Blanchett to Naomi Watts to Chloe Grace Moretz or Victoria Beckham.
WEAR IT TO: Your first meeting with the guest relationship manager for your membership interview at London’s Soho House, because your jetsetting lifestyle requires you to upgrade your local status to global.
OVERHEARD COURTSIDE: “Why is there a dog in the audience?” – In reference to one street style favorite’s decision to bring her pooch along to all of the shows.
COLOR WHEEL: White, saffron yellow, burgundy, camouflage green, black, navy, denim and sky blue.
THE DOCKET: While many local labels chose the current season to make their fashion week debut, Tome designers Ryan Lobo and Ramon kicked it out of the ballpark in bringing their New York-based label Down Under, through showcasing a series of polished, tailored looks sure to have fellow members at Meatepacking’s Soho House gossiping behind closed doors about exactly what it is in fashion you do.
