Bruce sailed into Fall with a nautical-themed show that deftly displayed the draping and construction talents of designers Daphne Gutierrez and Nicole Noselli. This Shiseido-sponsored collection, the team's tenth, featured 15 looks that each emphasized what Gutierrez described as "the freedom and lightness of the fabric."
Bruce's theme was evoked with details like cording, "sail" belts and knot-like draping. Sex appeal was in ample supply thanks to pieces like the fine net top worn, with a black tank dress, by Caroline Ribeiro. Highlights included the black pocket pants modeled by Delfine—a trimmer, refined take on slouchy hip-hop trousers. The pairing of floaty draped pieces with more substantial, almost sporty separates such as tab jeans and a car coat kept things on an even keel, with only the voluminous, multi-cowl blouses ever threatening the balance. Jody Busby's single earrings—dangling chunks of stone wrapped with thread-thin wire—added some sparkle to the somberly colored clothes, which were all rendered in a muted palette of black, smoke, taupe and teal.
This was a collection for confident sophisticates, exuding an ease and fluidity that have been finely honed over the last few seasons.
