Not surprisingly, Gilles Mendel had dancers on the brain when putting together his latest collection. The designer produced the costumes for the New York City Ballet's production of Call Me Ben, which premiered last weekend.
For Resort, many of his signature draped dresses featured bustier detailing and flouncy skirts; one covetable number was decorated with chunky crystals creeping up one of the straps. Mendel is known for producing knockout gowns in crepe and chiffon, but this season—inspired by the ease of movement afforded by dance attire—he experimented with jersey. A fluid navy long-sleeve gown with a cutout back was as glamorous as any he cut in his more signature materials. And for the off-duty ballerina? Stone-colored suede shorts and a virtually weightless silk-lined white raccoon vest aren't exactly sweats, but they're about as casual as we've seen from Mendel—a welcome sign that he's not afraid to try some new steps.
