“We’ve been doing this year as a celebration of different arts and crafts,” Lafayette 148’s Emily Smith explained at a recent appointment. “We wanted to focus on ceramics because we love seeing the similarities through our process; how things can go into a kiln and come out and sometimes they’re not what you expected—it’s like a journey, which also gives you this sense of travel and adventure.” The references to ceramics were evident in a subtle glaze-inspired print that gave a lightweight suit and a sheer dropped-waist dress the effect of being color washed; and a peel and crackling technique applied to their signature leather pieces. There were also great ceramic necklaces made in collaboration with the New York-based artist Yoona Hur, which will be available in limited edition.
What did really seem to influence the collection was the sense of journey—but as seen through a luxe, all-American ’90s lens: witness the pleated bermuda shorts worn with an open weave knit tank top and topped off with a casual button-down shirt left open; or the crinkly fabric used on a terrific minimal tank dress and on a tank and a-line skirt combo. There were also “tech-y trench coats” and lots of easy cotton poplin pieces, including a great khaki dress with gathers at the shoulders and the waist. Everything was made to stuff in a suitcase and wear in far-flung locales with nary an iron or steamer in sight.