Shown against the backdrop of the Elaine de Kooning House and Studio, the Tanya Taylor Fall/Winter 2022 collection embodies a nocturnal elegance with an artful point of view. Elaine was an Abstract Expressionist and Figurative Expressionist painter in the post-World War II era, as well as the wife of Willem de Kooning whose career she promoted in many ways. The collection has references to that era and the digital lookbook presented on Day 1 of the NYFW FW22 Collections was shot in a famous setting where marvelous art was produced. It highlights in a way the work of an ultra-talented woman who was overshadowed by her husband throughout her career and life in a predominantly “masculine” art world.
The silhouettes are feminine, retro-inspired but also modern, some with exaggerated details like puff sleeves and oversized buckled waist belts.
It carries some Victorian elements including ruffles, corset-style details, and austere wintery floral motifs. They are charming and rendered in a fresh way.
It also features layering elements, real or illusion, such as a dress over a top, a strapless top over a blazer or blouse, extra-long gloves over the sleeves, overlapping knits, and more.
High-waist pants and skirts, as well as sleek roomy silhouettes, combine comfort with style, strengthening the idea of elegant wearability in our times.
The designer delivers her artful, free-from-restrictions narrative in a palette of earthy and bolder hues that mix & match. She builds a cohesive wardrobe with accents of black when sharpness is at stake.
It is definitely a collection that appeals to the active, busy woman, and somehow manages to transform even those who do not see themselves as fashionistas into real ones!
