Elie Tahari is shifting gears. The designer has opted for a see-now-buy-now model, explaining that women want something when they first see it, not months later. He has a point, and other designers in the industry have been following this method for several years. There was a refreshing light feeling to Tahari’s new collection, which was inspired by the crafts of Bali and Tahiti, including basket weaving and bold floral-printing techniques. The basket weaving was a nice touch, especially on a mossy green jacquard ’60s-style shift dress.
Women depend on Elie Tahari for clothes to wear in corporate settings. Those are fairly conservative parameters, but this wasn’t a dull lineup. One standout was a cheerful fuchsia dress with adjustable sleeves that can be pulled up for 9-to-5, then pulled down and worn off the shoulder after dark. It pays to think outside the cubicle.
