#NYFW: Vivienne Tam Fall 2015

Happy Chinese new year!  Vivienne Tam's Fall 2015 collection brought the opulence of Chinoiserie as seen through the eyes of Europeans when they first encountered Asian culture. So what exactly does that mean?
You see high-necked silhouettes popular in the Victorian era. Nature illustrations were popular in the 1700's and 1800's in Europe. In this collection, there was a fusion of those illustrations mixed with traditional Chinese motifs of cranes and cherry blossoms in  beautiful prints on the fabric (always loved Vivienne Tam prints).

photos by Mariana Leung

The sexiest looks were the cocktail length dresses with A-line skirt with the bodice framed in lace applique. The lace motifs echoed baroque furniture lines popular in the Victoria era. The other Asian Euro fusion combo? Grey wooly tartans were paired with soft silk printed dresses. Proper British peacoats were a part of more tailored looks.

Vivienne Tam continued her use of high tech fabrics like power mesh and neoprene to execute classical cultural motifs. I have always loved her aesthetic of taking traditional elements of her heritage and breaking them out to contemporary pop art fashion trends.

Now, if I get enough red envelopes today, Vivienne Tam's boutique is where I will be spending them!