Jonathan Simkhai – Pre Spring/Summer 2016 Ready-To-Wear

Jonathan Simkhai sums up his aesthetic in three words: “Sporty, sexy, cool.” It certainly has a nice ring to it, but over the past few seasons you had to wonder what might happen if techy fabrics and sport references fell out of favor. Luckily, thanks to a loyal following—including Gigi Hadid and other eager fans around the globe—Simkhai doesn’t really need to worry about it. For Resort he stayed true to his signature body-hugging dresses, cutouts, and color-blocking, but softened things up with the addition of “tribal” fabrics he developed in Como, Italy. Stitched together on a pencil skirt or cropped jacket, indigo jacquards lent some necessary warmth to mesh and crepe. The mash-up effect was strongest on a few A-line dresses, less so on a molded off-the-shoulder frock.

Simkhai also peppered in some sexy lace-up detailing, which keyed into the Victorian-goth mini trend that picked up steam at the Fall ’15 shows. More daring girls will go straight for the sternum-baring white lace-up blouse. That look might not have staying power, but what will keep the brand moving forward in the coming seasons is a continued interest in fabric and texture, which can make even the most classic body-con dress feel 
brand-new.