Tadashi Shoji Spring 2014: Lots of fabrics, lots of freedom

Lace, plaid, crop tops, and sheer and neoprene fabric are here to stay for another season, if Tadashi Shoji has anything to say about it.  And he clearly does.

For Spring 2014, Shoji showed all of those trends, sometimes in the same look or layered in the same dress, in a variety of pastel hues.  The first dress to come down the runway was a jade-green perforated neoprene strapless piece with a silk organza overlay worn under a jade and ivory embroidered tulle short-sleeve crop top (with silk organza ribbon applique laid in a plaid pattern).  The effect was absolute garden party innocence, playing down the usual edginess of the crop top.

Shapes were generally not form-fitting – there were swaying full skirts and swishing ballgowns aplenty – and the organzas, tulles and lace used contributed to the overall feeling of airiness.  This befit the theme of the collection, “Sweet Liberation,” which was defined in the show notes as “the desire to assert our confidence…combined with the beauty of sweet femininity.”

Embodying this sentiment perfectly was one ivory and pale pink tulle circular skirt gown with a plaid pattern.  Embroidered and hand-beaded lace floral appliques were strategically placed on the otherwise sheer fabric in coy but classy flirtation, the type that emanates from a self-aware woman who does not have to use obvious measures to get what she wants.

Photos: Tadashi Shoji Spring 2014 – New York Fashion Week
all photos by Semon Tam for Meniscus Magazine