Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs were inspired by American film actress and dancer Louise Brooks: remarked as the emblematic figure of the flapper and also the woman responsible for making the blunt bob widely popular. The design duo also pulled influence from the circus: two disparate ideas that came together quite beautifully.
Sultry and seductive is the name of Cushnie et Ochs’s game and this assortment was no exception. Ruffle-accented crop tops gave a flash of abs, cleverly-placed cutouts bared shoulders, thigh-high slits exposed legs, and sleek hair and red lips completed it all. Black leather opera gloves injected a sense of glamour and refinement.
Slinky slip dresses in shimmering sequins, embroidered velvet, flashy lamé, and seam-detailed silk sauntered down the runway: clearly giving a nod to Brooks. Classic stripes made an appearance in a tonal palette on a high-neck, ruffle-collared blouse perfect for the office, an illusion neckline LWD great for an engagement party, and billowing trousers slit up to the knee.
Though the collection was definitely a spectacle to behold, there was certainly nothing zany or circus-like about the designs at hand—it seems the brand is only getting more self-assured and certain of its ability to deliver pieces women want. The pair are expanding and growing their techniques and textures, without sacrificing their signature and very successful aesthetic. This felt like the perfect assemblage for the boss chicks and Hollywood sirens who believe in having it and flaunting it whenever their hearts desire to: brimming with red carpet shoo-ins and poise, with an elegant spirit.
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Images: VOGUE.com
