In a world where fashion is fast and designers are expected to come up with inspiration for actual seasons, retail pre-seasons and celebrity-induced awards seasons, it’s jarring to see a few have a continuous thought from collection to collection. It halts us in our tracks.
It’s no secret that I have long been inspired by Ann Demeulemeester’s lightness of touch with dark fabrics.
With each collection, she tells us a facet of her complex story. Each season, we get another chapter. There is continuity since the last installment, yet there are always new characters we haven’t been introduced to as yet.
The way that ruffle sits atop that leather…

The intimate conversations all those beautiful layers must be having…

The suspense of a zipper going in a different direction…

At a time where everything moves so fast, there is stillness and loveliness here.

There is purity in her pursuits – and frankly, in her suits, as well.

There is a clarity of spirit, a confidence separate from commerce. Yet, these clothes look at home – albeit their temporary homes – in retail landmarks such as London’s Liberty.
They are like pieces of art, there, hanging in a gallery – but art to be appreciated, loved, looked at daily in wonder – and ultimately, to be enveloped in.
Which character will you become within that story when you wear it?
Images courtesy of Vogue.com.