Barbara Tfank Fall/Winter 2016

Callie Chute, Contributing Writer

Barbara Tfank’s Spring collection remained true to her classically-themed 1960s aesthetic, but shied away from her usual fixed hemlines. The designer introduced beaded lace, a style Tfank had not yet designed with. None of Tfank’s clothes could be categorized as casual, and each piece wages an event worth wearing them to, but holds a timeless beauty, making them perfect to wear year after year.

There were many floral prints, one of her trademark looks, but she also incorporated that within her beaded designs which followed a flower pattern. Tfank likes to play with colors in muted tones, making fabrics design central to the look.

This collection consisted of dresses, and two-piece sets. The two piece sets showed silky, black, straight-legged pants, paired with a short over coat. One overcoat was entirely black fur, while others had floral fabric matching other pieces from the collection. Another two-piece paired together was a long, gold skirt that stopped just above the ankles, with a red and gold floral crop-top that fit loosely and stopped above the model’s waist where the skirt began.

Each model wore their hair down, straight and pushed back beyond their shoulders. There was minimal jewelry, except for two models who wore gold cuffed bracelets on each wrist, and matching dangling gold earrings. Both the cuffs and the earrings were set with an amethyst stone in the middle. The jewelry was by Amanda Ross.

The Manolo Blahnik shoes were simple as well: all pointed, close-toed heels in solid gold or black colors, except for one pair that was black satin with diamonds tracing the inner-edge of the shoe. The simplicity contrasts with the prints on the fabrics.

This presentation show was held in the Madeline Weinrib Studio off of 5th Avenue, where the walls were decorated with pillows, textiles, and fabrics. There were large windows and large hanging lights that opened up the room. The French and contemporary music transported me to a cozy space, making attendees feel comfortable approaching the models or the designer. The show was very intimate with several models who stood in a fixed formation, and moved throughout the room with synchronization to model each piece. Tfank is known for showing her collections in non-commercialized places. She was once quoted in a Vogue interview saying, “She wants the clothing to match the occasion.”

Email Callie Chute at [email protected].