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On Friday night Billy Reid presented his spring/summer '12 menswear and womenswear collections at Milk Studios. Per usual, the space was transformed. This time around wooden frames were constructed and hung with gauzy, muslin drapes. A sheer wall of bent and twisted branches created a backdrop beyond which a live band played something rootsy and rocky and very Billy Reid. Lighting was soft, provided by dozens and dozens of candles in Mason jars suspended at random from the ceiling. And the floor: delineated by rich-smelling wood chips separating the gawkers from the models. Add the frosty artisinal beers displayed in charming steel buckets and the mood was very summer evening-on-the-veranda.
And the clothes? Like the previous fall collection—the clothes have gone less fussy; more stream-lined and simple. Standard separates and a three-piece suit in nubby grey for boys; slouchy, shorty separates plus floor-grazing, billowing jumpsuits and frothy, belted tea dresses for girls. Lots of white, cream and beige with bits of textured grey and chambrayed blue. The only hints of true color: A sun-washed orange tee, the red stripes in a rugby and a little red and orange on some not-for-everybody patchwork quilted bottoms and outerwear.
· Billy Reid [Official Site]
· All Fashion Week Coverage [Racked]