At Lemlem’s showroom in downtown New York City, Liya Kebede was wearing one of the label’s gauzy pink tops with loose jeans and suede boots. Her label is a go-to for vacationwear—breezy dresses, caftans, and cover-ups—but plenty of girls wear Lemlem in the city, just like Kebede. For Pre-Fall, there were lots of new items that would work on the beach or in Brooklyn, like a sharp dotted jumpsuit and a black-and-white tunic, which you could wear alone or with jeans.
Lurex was a big hit for Lemlem last season, and Kebede used it here on a few parchment-color gowns and skirts. The subtle sheen lent a just-slightly-fancier vibe than Lemlem’s usual fare; the ruffled maxi dress would be nice for a summer soiree. It’s difficult to see in photos, but the Lurex thread is actually rainbow-flecked; it was a subtle, joyful little detail. Lemlem is big on those—delicate fringe, neon tassels, and contrast trim elevate each piece. (The fact that the clothes are made by women in Ethiopia and Kenya makes them even more special.)
Color is always the takeaway here, and if you’re going to embrace this season’s neons and brights, you can’t go wrong with Kebede’s lilac-and-amethyst striped dress or the blush tattersall maxi. There were some cute candy-striped pieces in orange, blue, and pink, too, which Kebede pulled from the Lemlem archive. They might look bright now, but trust us—when summer heats up in June, you’re going to crave those juicy colors.
