Kym Ellery isn’t the kind to subscribe to conventional notions of sexy; in her hands the classic date-night dress is anything but tight, short, or sweet. And yet unpacking the idea of skin-revealing clothing was clearly something of a priority for the designer this season—the first look in the new collection features a racy mesh turtleneck that leaves little to the imagination. When you consider that Alejandro Jodorowsky’s movie Holy Mountain, a ’70s surrealist fantasy in which most of the cast wonders around in bizarre states of undress, was Ellery’s main source of inspiration, then that overt display of the body makes a little more sense. Still, it’s the subtler flashes of skin that make for the best eye candy, like the plunging deep-V on an ankle-length crisp white shirtdress, and the shoulder cutouts on a very pretty printed silk peasant dress. In fact as far as exploring new and uncharted territory goes, the bold woodcut pattern on that very frock is an unexpected and exciting addition to the Ellery playbook, one that gives the label’s signature minimalist silhouette an appealing sense of romance.
As any street style star north of Sydney will tell you, it’s the brand’s billowing flares that put it on the map. This time around, the attention is squarely at shoulder level, with an array of different statement sleeves—ruffled, ruched, leg-of-mutton—that would make for an Instagram photo op on the sidewalk of just about any fashion capital. Having successfully launched denim a couple of seasons ago, the Australian brand is expanding its accessories offering, too, with a full shoe collection launching for Resort. After the mismatched Calder-inspired statement earrings, the sculptural Chelsea boot is a trophy piece cool girls will want to take home for keeps. And if you thought atheleisure was a dirty word, then the bell-sleeved sweatshirt and slouchy racing-stripe track pants might change your mind.
