Belle N. Matisse: Serious and Playful
When it debuted at the Concept L.A. Fashion Week at Ace Gallery in March, Los Angeles–based fashion label Belle N. Matisse was the picture of serious, intellectual style.
The sole color of its contemporary looks was black, and the shoulders of the dresses and blazers were pointed, like a medieval suit of armor, which happened to be an inspiration for the line, designed by Alexandria “Belle” Norman, a student at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles.For her second season, Spring/Summer 2013, which she debuted at the recent Workroom trade event in Las Vegas, the line will lighten up—literally. Brighter colors, such as a blue snakeskin print, will be introduced into the once-monochrome line, as well as a tan charmeuse. The serious and always fashionable color of black also will be continued in the 13-piece collection.
The Belle N. Matisse line also will experiment with menswear.Some of the signature looks feature blazers and trousers that are tight around the calf but baggy around the hips, a bit like jodhpur pants. There’s also a long sleek black dress with leather details down the sides. For more information, contact sales@bellenmatisse.com.—Andrew Asch
