You could call Lela Rose a “dress designer,” but that description tends to feel prim and stuffy, and Rose is neither. This is a designer who bikes 30 blocks to her office every day, even in the rain, and yes, often in a dress. Lately she’s been relying on her cache of hardworking, lightly stretchy knit dresses; at her garment district showroom, she was modeling a color-blocked pointelle number that just launched for pre-fall.
She wore it with bejeweled flats that day, but has almost certainly styled it with Birkenstocks and party heels too. There was a similar spirit of ease and versatility in her resort 2022 lineup, from new knit dresses—here in a thicker ribbed wool—to patchwork floral columns cut like T-shirts. The collection had a touch of Western flair courtesy of Rose’s time in Jackson Hole this winter: The opening wool dress came with a built-in fringed shawl—something of an elevated take on a blanket coat or poncho—and several looks were cinched with vintage turquoise belts, from oversized cardigans to a luxe tunic and trouser set in saffron velvet.
Any of those looks could make low-key party options or dressed-up daywear, but it was refreshing to see some true eveningwear too. Rose was never swayed by the headlines declaring leggings would take over our closets; she knew women would be eager to dress up by lockdown’s end. Those looking for a new LBD might go for the fringed midi with needlepoint-inspired fil coupé or the seamed jacquard number inset with climbing vines, but it was the rack full of voluminous, drop-waist pouf skirts and sheer crop tops—all mix-and-matchable—that looked like a real joy to wear.
