[Images via Style.com]
Fresh for fall 2012, Josie Natori presented an oriental-nuanced collection, updated to fit the modern woman. Many pieces were cinched at the waist with an obi-like belt, alluding to the kimono. Elegant drapery, fitted trousers and reversible wraps were paired with Japanese bell sleeves, leather and fur, while edgy black and white printed silhouettes were kept simple and loose. The color scheme, though multifaceted, served the collection well, resulting in a surprisingly coherent palette of dark purple, green, tan, red, orange, grey and white – all accented by black, of course. Natori’s Asian influence rings crystal clear, one cannot help but think of the “Mongolian nomads, Kublai Khan, Marco Polo, and the traders on the Silk Road” which inspired her. The grande finale was a graceful black floor-length dress with a sheer back adorned with a romantic design of flowers.
–Maria Eilersen
