Like all of us, Jonathan Simkhai has been in desperate need of a mood-lifter. He’s happily and safely working from his home in Los Angeles, but the future grows more uncertain the longer the pandemic lasts. His instincts told him to make a resort 2021 collection filled with optimism. Simkhai said he’s observed that women are starting to want to dress up again, and he designed his new wares with that in mind. His unstructured tailoring is particularly smile-inducing this season, as are the knits made with wool and viscose gauze. Knit bralettes worked well in Simkhai’s mix, but even better were pieces like the vegan-leather tie shirtdress, and the sharp trousers and blazers in pops of neon green and hot pink.
With so many designers shifting completely to loungewear in an effort to appeal to our new lives at home, it was refreshing to see some dressiness. It came in the form of long, pouf-sleeve and lace detail maxidresses and those bright pantsuits. This resort offering had a little bit of everything, but the most appealing thing about it was its exuberance.
