By Jaja NwokeabiaStaying true to her luxurious roots, Korean designer Son Jung Wan offered a pared-down collection of achromatic cream, navy and metallic hues, clean lines and delicate details for her Spring/Summer 2012 show at Lincoln Center Saturday afternoon. Models with fresh faces and hair pulled back into ponytails sauntered down the runway in a fluster of floaty dresses with mostly knee-length hemlines. For this collection, Wan drew inspiration from the Isle of Capri and its Blue Grotto and her vision translated beautifully. She sent out a slew of breezy looks including wide legged cotton trousers the color of sand, paired with a metallic silk tank top. A brown sequined skirt topped with a brown metallic blouse glistened like wet stones. Another highlight was a blue silk tiered dress that cascaded like waves as the model made her way down the catwalk.
Thankfully, Wan included pieces for the party-girl in us all, too. Barely-thereleather hotpants, a gold sequined short romper, and brown leather dress with shoulder fringes added sex appeal and downtown flair to what could have been an otherwise sleepy collection. Meanwhile Wan sprinkled in a few menswear pieces that neither wowed or dissapointed. Linen and metallic suits, and white leather jackets were nicely done yet forgettable. Clearly, Wan’s strength lies in womenswear. Her garments are consistently simple and sumptuous. While she continues to push the envelope with sheer inlays and shorter shorts, Wan maintains a sophistication that has made her one of Korea’s most successful designers.
In just her second season at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the designer has attracted quite a following. Mercedes Benz Fashion Week founder and former IMG Vice President Fern Mallis, Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford and America’s Next Top Model’s J. Alexander adding mega-wattage to her front row, as others poured in wall to wall. If Rutherford standing ovation at the show’s end and Fern Mallis’ glowing critique are any indication, Son Jung Wan is definitely one to watch.
