New York Fashion Week Spring '09: Trovata
NEW YORK—Inspired by his childhood in Michigan, designer John Whitledge created an Ivy League muse to portray the look of his Spring ’09 Trovata collection.
Arabella Lastat escapes a stuffy upper-crust life and retreats to a remote family cabin on a nameless island in the Great Lakes. The collection reflected the nostalgia of the imaginary story set in 1968 with updated modern appeal.
Polished, yet relaxed, the look was classic with a chic, youthful edge. Structured jackets and trousers mixed with easy, effortless silk tops and long breezy shirt-dresses. They would be great for any escape, and they’re just plain great for every day. For guys, the look was preppy but hip, pairing a black-and-white check blazer with matching shorts and a casual white zip-front jacket with matching white pants. This season, the collection was more sophisticated—a reflection of Whitledge’s recent travels and growth as a designer. —N. Jayne Seward
