Getaway Looks from Lafayette 148 New York and Camilla
wanderlust was in the air at the recent “For the Love of a Child” Fashion Show presented by select South Coast Plaza boutiques at the Balboa Bay Resort to benefit Childhelp Orange County. From the Lafayette 148 New York summer runway presentation to the informal modeling of Camilla‘s newest print dresses, there was a lot of inspiration for what to wear at destinations nearby or far-flung.
A getaway was definitely on Creative Director Emily Smith’s mind in designing the Lafayette 148 New York’s collection that’s available now at the boutique. “After not being able to travel for so long, I was craving paradise—beautiful light, sun drenched colors, gorgeous water and a sense of freedom and lightness,” Smith said. “I tried to design the pieces that I’d want to pack on my bag for that great vacation—luxurious, cozy, relaxed and feels great on the body.”
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“It’s been so exciting to think about travel again,” Smith said. “There are some key pieces I always need in my bag—that perfect little summer beach sweater, a great sun hat, a tunic dress I can wear by the pool or dress up for dinner, and of course a pair of beautiful sandals that are comfy for walking around all day in.”
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“Our print designer Leila hand-painted this lovely toile-inspired watercolor that became the basis for our Summer motif. It’s sort of a tropical dreamscape that spoke to the spirit of wanderlust we’re all feeling.”
– Emily Smith
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“I’m drawn to luxe textures that don’t feel too fussy and shapes that layer well and feel light on,” Smith said. “Linen is a favorite, and luxe knits spun with silk and cotton to keep them light but super rich.”
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“Transparency, eyelets and embroidery are really important for Summer. I was drawn to fabrics that let the breeze in and feel airy and cooling during hot days.”
– Emily Smith
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As for Camilla, four dresses from the summer collection included a caftan aptly named Psychedelica – a mix of zebra stripes, exotic bird wing prints and cheetah spots with rainbow watercolors and paisley. Florals and borders are a staple of Camilla’s print repertoire and this summer, they’re out in full force in the Garden Karma collection, inspired by a trip designer Camilla Franks and her team took to England. “We explored every pretty detail England had to offer, like a band of gypsies, lost in every moment,” she said. “These prints are a diary of this journey. You’ll find hand-painted florals taking note from lovingly crafted patchwork quilts, beautiful blooms and curious ceramics we found rummaging through the bustling maze at the Antique Markets.”
If her new print dresses were novels, then Franks writes about romance. The blooms of Sew in Love are set on an antique white background (second from left). Hampton Hive (far right), a lush and lovely floral print on black is described as follows: “Seduction never did smell so sweet.” Wait, it gets better. Royal Stitch Up (third from the left) is a pretty robin’s egg blue print inspired by Franks’ imaginings – what she calls “the hidden diaries of countryside mistresses.”
Who knew prints could conjure images of far away places, love, romance and so much more?
Visit Lafayette 148 New York in Level 1, Saks Fifth Avenue wing
