Fashion

Julian Louie - New York Spring/Summer 2010

Julian Louie has looked to designing, in his own words, ‘more wearable, more approachable clothing, with last season’ geometry translated into a softer silhouette. Collaborating for a second time with Swarovski, S/S10 is inspired by desert and beach landscapes as the sun sets, and this has led to a theme of abstract gradations of colour and texture when it comes to CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements too. Column and Briolette and globe beads pendants are embroidered onto garments in tulle, gabardine and Ultra Suede creating graded textures. Stones are embedded into the fringed fabric, becoming integral to the piece. Colours are monochromatic, with clays, watermelons grading to white with crystals in hues including topaz, golden shadow, rose and peach. His intention is that it is more than mere surface decoration. This collection, inspired by earth, sand and light has to translate legibly into an urban landscape and lifestyle, and crystals help with this transition. ‘Crystal adds luxury and people are very responsive to it,’ says Louie. ‘The clothes, whatever the inspiration, have to work in the context of fashion.’