Known for her east-meets-west aesthetic, New York Fashion Week favorite Vivienne Tam, debuted 43 looks for the FW18 season inspired by an “expedition through the Himalayas to Tibet, evoking the infinite essence of love, and the discovery of its vibrant topography, art, culture and indigenous people.”
The collection entitled, “UNITY. WHOLENESS. INFINITY.” is filled with nomadic looks achieved through silhouettes of loose and multi-layered separates that encompass a pallet of earth and sky. Belted and cinched plaid jackets with puff sleeves, blouson tops and sky-high turtlenecks are paired with long, gathered or pleated skirts and puffy quilted parkas. The feel of nomadic layering is further reflected in Tam’s incorporation of contrasting patterns, multiple plaids and fabrics of wool, silk, corduroy, tulle mesh, lace and Mongolian hair trim. Symbolic prints of Universal Mandalas and colorful, hand-crafted embroideries of the Buddhist deity Green Tara, who is associated with protection from fear, bring a deeper connection to Tam's narrative of 'expedition' and 'discovery'. The collection, rendered in varying hues of burnt orange, gradations of earthy khaki, red clay, sky blue and deep turquoise, conjures the ever-changing view of hiking the Himalayas at sunset.
A favorite look was number 43 - a black floor-length dress covered in a repeating pattern of white Mandalas, with a red overlay formed by intricately embroidered images of Green Tara that climb through the bodice to create a faux neckline and sleeve.
A pioneer in merging fashion and technology, Tam’s FW18 collection has left no stone unturned with the incorporation of smart textiles and wearable electronics. The collection includes coats and warm knit sweaters reinforced with smart, conductive fabric that stealthily contain a power source to keep the urban explorer warm as they head fashionably and fearlessly into their next journey.
The presentation of Vivienne Tam’s FW18 collection proved to be an all-encompassing experience that included an audience of fashion and entertainment a-listers including: Carol Alt, Kelly Bensimon, Taryn Manning and Jordin Sparks, along with the visual projection of a ceiling-high rotating Mandala and sounds of Tibetan drumming and Buddhist chanting that transformed Gallery 1 of Spring Studios into Tam’s imagination come to life.
All photos courtesy of Dan Lecca.
