As a general matter, when designers say things such as "This season was about confidence," the statement elicits at best an eye roll. For Resort, though, when Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman cited the confidence exuded by their clientele as their muse, the sentiment struck home. You could see it in the clothes. The latest Camilla and Marc collection emphasized bold patterns and monumental shapes, as well as fabrics that appeared demure from afar but up close revealed a muscularity and gravitas. A case in point, apropos the fabrics: the smoky pale blue draped dresses, which looked and felt gossamer but were made from a sensuous silk-wool blend. Other examples were the cream-colored jacquard, similar to but more substantive than lace, and the wide-weave tulle hand-embroidered with pearls, a textile that read as modest but evinced some real grit. The looks that featured a graphic placement print underscored the theme. These were not clothes for shrinking violets. And this season's relaxed tailoring, though more minimalist in effect, exuded a similar sense of authority. The off note came from the dresses that incorporated a window of sheer fabric—that was a little gimmicky, to be frank. But overall, this collection conjured a ballerina's strength: All feminine elegance when regarded onstage, and meanwhile her muscles are pulsing below the tutu. You wouldn't want to mess with her.
