Spring 2017 saw the first runway collection for Leonard’s new Creative Director, Christine Phung—expanding on her debut with the French fashion house for Resort. A globe-trotting story was at the heart of the looks, which brimmed with floral prints, eye-catching embroidery, disco-reminiscent lamé, and loads of travel-ready silk jersey.
The assortment was heavy with a colorful palm frond pattern that felt more Resort than Spring, but was certainly functional and pretty. It was strewn against a fun tie-waist jumpsuit, office-perfect blazer, roomy trousers, and flowing shirts for an easy, breezy feel.
At times, the collection was a study in excess: a brocade double-breasted blazer was paired with a pleated skirt with a sheer overlay, while prints were mixed on a coat languidly thrown over the model’s shoulders and a beaded dress with a shiny lamé hem. Though not for the faint of heart, the ensembles were chicly executed.
And if you aren’t an avid fan of lamé, you clearly need to be for Spring. Phung used the metallic fabric on diaphanous cover-ups for a glamorous take on poolside dressing, skinny scarfs that could uplift even the most basic getup, t-shirt inspired tops, and red carpet-ready halter dresses.
The pieces that will usher in a whole new set of Leonard fans were the on-trend bomber jackets in a slew of fabrics, colors, and weights. They were juxtaposed against everything from flirty, tiered mini dresses to knee-length patterned skirts—surely some inspiration for real-time wear.
What do you think of Leonard’s Spring designs?
Images: Vogue.com