"The rise of neo-paganism in the early seventies." As far as inspirations go, that's one of the stranger references we've come across. Creatures of the Wind's Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters continue to grow into themselves as designers, but one thing that hasn't changed as their collections have become more retail-savvy is their taste for the off-kilter. It came across literally here in a smart-looking tweedy green skirt with a doubled waistband, and in a circle skirt with deep black silk fringe trimming the hem that couldn't quite figure out what it wanted to be. They also took a playful approach to the collection's major print. "We wanted to re-create a plaid as if it was seen from the bottom of a swimming pool." Again, not the most obvious instinct, but their experimentation paid off in the case of a gorgeous floor-length shirtdress.
By and large, though, their first-ever Pre-Fall collection was a chance for the designers to dig into basics—or what qualifies as such in the COTW world. Their cashmere cotton cable sweaters felt as good as they looked. Same went for calf-leather separates that were almost as soft as suede.
