New York: Emily Smith’s latest collection at NYFW blends artistic inspiration with luxury fashion, highlighting craftsmanship and sustainability. Featuring artisanal pieces, the showcase celebrates the role of skilled artisans, with technology enhancing the audience’s experience through custom videos detailing each creation’s story.
Emily Smith, the creative force behind Lafayette 148, has been showcasing a diverse array of artistic inspirations that fuel her luxurious fashion collections. Over the past year, she has explored mediums such as oil painting, life drawing, and ceramics, culminating in a celebration of textile design for the upcoming fall presentation. This showcase occurred at New York Fashion Week (NYFW), where the intricate connection of art and fashion was front and centre.
During the brand’s NYFW presentation, Smith elaborated on her design process, initially focusing on abstract concepts inspired by tapestries and the works of female textile artists, notably Anni Albers. “But then as we started to work on it, it was really the hands from within the house that became the bigger story,” she explained. This remark highlighted the significance of craftsmanship within the Lafayette 148 New York atelier, a feature that is increasingly rare in the bustling fashion capital.
The fall collection unveiled a variety of meticulously crafted pieces that included artisanal knitwear, luxe outerwear, leather designs, relaxed tailoring, and elegant occasion dresses. One standout item was a pale blue jacquard gown adorned with the impression of curled ribbon fringes, a design complementing a neighbouring little black dress. Another highlight was an artisanal wrap skirt, showcasing fully knitted panels created from a medley of textiles and featuring a loose, fringe aesthetic that exemplified the emphasis on tactile craftsmanship.
Smith’s designs featured an intentional reductionist approach, allowing the quality of materials to shine through. For instance, a fringed leather and suede skirt made use of scrap materials, while a black ensemble comprised woven velvet knit strips. Both ensembles were crafted as specialty, limited-edition offerings, catering to a consumer audience appreciative of exclusivity. The brand’s signature L tote bag, made from handwoven leather, provided a more commercially viable product option amid the high-end creations.
In addition to the visual elements, the collection incorporated technology with the inclusion of QR codes placed beneath each look. These codes directed attendees to custom videos that detailed the techniques employed by their talented designers and the passionate stories behind each creation. A notable clip featured textile designer Leila Dubus, who elaborated on the unique printing process that gave the brand’s signature white shirt a trompe-l’oeil effect, emulating a handwoven open-knit swatch through gel plate printing.
“I always feel lucky to be the voice of it, but really, it’s the team,” Smith remarked, underscoring the collaborative effort that drives the brand’s creative output.
Lafayette 148’s fall collection emerged as a significant statement during these tumultuous times, illustrating the profound impact and often-overlooked contributions of the skilled artisans behind the scenes in the fashion industry. The collection not only celebrated artistic inspiration but also reinforced the importance of craftsmanship and sustainable fashion practices in today’s market.
Source: Noah Wire Services
