Victoria Bartlett showed her spring 2010 collection for VPL at Pier 59 studios today. Titled "Atlas of Anatomy", Bartlett presented a series of deconstructed and reconstructed looks in shades of navy, black, cream, orange and beige with a little help from her accessory designing friends — Aran Baik knits, Lizzie Fortunato and Orly Genger by Jaclyn Mayer jewelry, and LD Tuttle footwear.
Always interested in manipulating shapes to create a complex silhouette, Bartlett shined in transparent leggings, an alabaster tunic with twisted cord knots, and the 16-look finale section of sheer nudes paired with shoulder pads or layered over sequined undergarments.
Also of note, a navy parachute fabric used for bloomers and jumpers, a coral shift dress with matching leggings, and the organically shaped Lizzie Fortunato for VPL necklaces in bone, rope, wood, and resin.
Bartlett used accessories to further her anatomical statement, and the aforementioned knits played a major role in pushing the theme. There were 'vertebrae knits' and 'sternum knits' — beautiful bits of yarn twisted together over the shoulder or neck, referencing the obvious skeletal structure.
The VPL show turned out to be one of our favorites this Spring 09--however understated and, well, understood is the VPL aesthetic there was something in the air that made an impact. Maybe it was just the right timing; a relatively subdued break in the insanity of fashion week, or maybe it was the crowd; Sally Singer and the Voguettes were front and center, or maybe it was...the jewelry. The jewelry in the VPL show was delicate and beautiful, geometric, handmade, special--it was something that enhanced the clothing without distracting us from it. Today we put two and two together and realized the jewelry was designed by our friends at Lizzie Fortunato jewels. The line is, in fact, all of those adjectives and then some and, we are too excited about this, the jewelry we saw in the VPL show makes up what will be the Spring 09 collection. Prepare yourself for heart palpitations...
Oliver Bonas
Beyond The Valley
Vive Maria
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