Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring '13: Tracy Reese's Organic and Technical Juxtaposition

 
Summary: Who best embodies the urban and edgy lifestyle better than designer Tracy Reese? In a sea of pale white and cream colored collections (for the brightest and longest days of the season, nonetheless), Reese’s Spring/Summer 2013 Ready-To-Wear capsule stands out with its bright hues, multi-colored ikat and various animal prints. Tribal cues are noticed almost instantly due to the fact that they are mixed with a kaleidoscope of bold stripes and leopard prints. Inspired from David Hockney landscapes, the bright colors are the perfect “mash-up” of rich visuals, vibrant hues and soft yet structures.
The collection plays with juxtapositions of both tribal and romantic aesthetics, as well as sporty yet feminine individual pieces. For a capsule of modern, everyday sportswear, there is much of an emphasis on ease and versatility while being able to wear each piece both separately and as the whole ensemble. Taking foliage-inspired greens anchored with crisp blacks and whites for example, the collection features very few pastels than one would expect from the designer to skewing but more electric and less expected colors.
Showing at New York Fashion Week right after her Michelle Obama wore her dress for the Democratic National Convention, Reese is poised for a huge splash this season. I believe that per usual, the mix of textures is where Reese shines. Prints, embroideries and beading create visual interest throughout the collection without being overbearing. Many might also claim it to be her downfall due to the fact that it might be too overwhelming for some. Looking at the collection as a whole, one might see that there is too many “talents” and ideas without one single place to rest your eyes. It actually deems it harder to pinpoint Reese’s strong point, for that matter.  Reese has become so much of a stylist’s dream that it could be hard for her to take a little step back and create less of a sportswear feel and see the forest for the trees. Though the dresses have less of the aesthetic  with the sheer lace overlay, it may just be too much to take in for it’s original impact before moving onto the next piece. It’s Reese’s gift and curse, it seems.
Color Palette: camel, tangerine, pale thistle, aurora, natural, latte, India ink, vivid blue, lapis, saffron, black, mentholescence, peri blue, treetop, aquarian, glowy green, beachglass, doeskin, white, midori, whitewash, ecru, ochre, phosphorescent flesh, daisy, daisy rose, red freckle, crimson, tobacco
Fabrics & Textures: knit, suede, ikat, salwar, perforated, geometric, animal, jacquard, beading, crepe, laminated, linen, burnout, floral, pleating, metallic, pointelle, gauze, embroidery, stretch crepe, raw silk, laminated linen
Key Looks: Natural washed knit moto jacket, pale thistle cocoon peasant and latte suede pull-on short; Black shawl collar jacket, black burnout floral combo shirt, and midori leather baggy pants; Phosphorescent flesh tech linen sleeveless jacket and daisy shingle beaded pants
– Taneisha Jordan
Photos: WWD

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