Comfortable eveningwear has become Sally LaPointe’s calling card. It started a few years back with fur-trimmed sweaters, which struck a low-key-luxe balance that works with jeans for day or a slip for night. Her fur coats and shearlings were a signature, too. Consciously or not, LaPointe has moved away from using so much fur (she introduced faux fur last year) and has instead become a resource for louche separates and tailoring in equally soft, sumptuous fabrics. With sharp lines and monochromatic hues, the clothes are as polished as a constricting pencil skirt or dress, but they feel leisurely in comparison. Jennifer Lopez is a repeat customer, as is Zendaya.
The news for Pre-Fall came in those fabrics, including a silky jersey (a first for LaPointe) on drapey dresses and a trompe l’oeil viscose, which had the look of marled gray wool from afar but was actually just a print. On a cowl-neck blouse and matching trousers, it lent a bit of texture without the bulk of actual wool, and will be a nice surprise for shoppers when the collection drops in early summer. The faux leather items were unexpectedly light, too; a blush trench felt as buttery as real leather, but was practically weightless, and thanks to an ultra-soft backing, it won’t feel sticky on the skin when the temperatures heat up.
All of those faux skins are still new territory for LaPointe. She was also excited about a burnished gold snakeskin brocade, which touched on her overarching theme: the glam ’80s. Young women who associate the decade with big blazers and jeans might be inspired to try the more sensual, feminine look LaPointe has resurrected here, seen best in her jersey dresses with deep, slouching necklines.
