L.A. Fashion Week Spring 2011: Julia Clancey
Julia Clancey debuted her Spring/Summer 2011 collection with a garden party–themed event at the Palihouse in West Hollywood, Calif. Guests sipped cocktails and socialized on the sunny patio before viewing the runway show on the rooftop of the hotel. The event celebrated Clancey’s Spring collection as well as the debut of her appointment-only West Hollywood boutique, where she offers her bespoke collection.
Decorations such as glittered tea cups, peacocks, flowers and butterflies hinted at a surreal English garden-party theme. Titled “Sensually Sorbet,” the palette—in papaya, lemon, lilac, pistachio and white—was inspired by sweets, candies and fruits. “It was very sweet,” Clancey said. “When I go on holiday the food, fruit and the colors— everything looks so yummy—the cocktails and all those little treats,” she said. The show included Clancey’s typically feminine dresses for Spring as well as a few pieces from last season’s collection, which were unfortunately stolen before she could present them.
But for Clancey, the timing of the presentation wasn’t an issue. The British designer follows her own style guidelines rather than fashion trends. Dresses ranged from uber minis to oversize tunics and elegant gowns reminiscent of old-Hollywood glamour. Intricate embroidery, beading and ruffles decorated many of the pieces. This season, silhouettes included several asymmetric cuts as well as voluminous, full circle skirts. Standouts included an elegant beaded peach gown with elaborate sleeves and an aqua dress with low-cut deacute;colletage that was inspired by Degas’ impressionist paintings of ballerinas. A series of elaborate white gowns closed the show.—N. Jayne Seward
