It was also evident that Shipley & Halmos sought to blur the seasonal partitions that too often dictated or influenced the course of a fashion designer’s progress. Their fall 2010 intricately woven shirts, sewn knits, light cotton henleys and sporty, loose fitting pocket tees could be worn well into the spring/summer months. This seasonally interchangeability was too evident in the women’s collection. Light-colored satin ensembles and lightweight firework pattern tanks with matching mid-knee skirts did not have to be excluded from one’s wardrobe, in the fall! Though oversized turtlenecks, mohair sweaters and fur lined jackets clearly purported winter use, a variation of the classic square-shouldered blazer, could be worn all year round. Slit at the sides, rounded at the shoulder and equipped with an adjustable belt aimed at accentuating the waistline, Shipley & Halmos’ new blazer is undoubtedly more flattering to the female figure than any other.
Hosting individual intimate sneak previews of their upcoming fall collection, in the cool and collected privacy of their everyday workspace, the designers will not be showcasing their collection in the upcoming Mercedes-Benz fashion week, this February. It was, indeed a treat to be able to stroke a uniquely woven textile and to have the designer explain his motives for designing it. It was informative to have him identify a mysterious fabric as a “jacquard” or “twill–” jargon so industry specific, that not even a common dictionary knows how to define it. “This black and white pattern was made from distorting bar codes,” Shipley explained. “Oh, that wild pattern? Yes, we took photos of fireworks at night and transplanted the pattern onto light silk.”
Good job, farrah !