Streamlined subversion was the order of the day at A.L.C.'s Pre-Fall presentation. But designer Andrea Lieberman views her brand as "an evolutionary process" rather than an exercise in theme, so a punky sensibility was present without ever coming off as costumey or kitsch. Sure, there were bondage straps, but Seditionaries this wasn't. Instead, Lieberman turned out great trousers that hovered between military and BDSM, which could team just as nicely with a silk top as a band tee or one of her own easy washed-denim shirts with a flyaway back. A grouping of simple dresses and midi skirts with buckle details felt edgy and elevated, as did cheeky body-con knits. Lieberman's momentum faltered ever so slightly with her prints: A design of abstract dancers spotted on shirtdresses had lots of graphic appeal; a vintage-inspired floral less so. Generally speaking, though, A.L.C. had a lot of hits on its hands here—crisp clothes for cool girls.
