Prabal Gurung‘s SS16 collection was the epitome of femininity and class. His use of formfitting but not overly sexy silhouettes created a sense of sensual drama that could make even the most self-conscious woman feel ready to rule the world. The 70s inspired designs and silhouettes maintained a playful vibe and paid tribute to my personal favorite decade of trends that has re-emerged.
The use of soft lines along with the delicate pastels in orange and yellow worked in harmony giving the entire collection an airy feeling. The unstructured design of the garments along with many of the off-the-shoulder necklines and use of sheer displayed that subtle nod to the 1970s and had a nonchalance that made the pieces extremely wearable. The rich, velvet like embroideries and finishes of the fabrics, as well as the soft geometric prints, gave many pieces in the collection a subtle texture and dimension that kept from being too fairy-tale like and maintained the sense of the powerful female figure.
In contrast, some of the later pieces proved more bold with dark black and white embroidered tops designed with sheer paneling and asymmetrical lines, as well as some bolder colors, fringe, sequins and eyelet details. It was a perfect balance of hard and soft. Some of my favorite looks included the white deep v-neck top with water-color detail and matching palazzo pants, the gold sequinned deep v-neck dress, and the white asymmetrical hem low-v back dress with fringe detail.
– Carmen N. Turner
Photos: NYmag