Elie Tahari has embraced new textures for a few seasons now, and it’s been a successful departure for him. Buttery suede, 3-D lace, and frayed knits have replaced the perforated leather and slick neoprene of seasons past; it’s a shift his customer has welcomed. During a preview in his Bryant Park showroom, Tahari said the “novelty” pieces are the ones that sell best—in other words, the Elie Tahari woman is picking up on fashion’s new maximalist leanings.
In fact, there were few pieces you could describe as classic or minimal in his Pre-Fall lineup, which he called “folk modern.” Fluttery lace appliqués were everywhere you looked, from a bomber jacket to a floor-grazing skirt made of three different types of printed lace mashed together. Peasant blouses and tiered chiffon skirts also worked the vaguely Woodstock-in-the-’60s vibe. However, customers who rely on Tahari for office attire will find plenty of crisp trousers here—including of-the-moment culottes—and drapey, double-face coats. They were simple, sure, but would give an instant face-lift to a closet full of sensible blazers.
