Son Jung Wan Fall 2013: A Kandinsky-inspired wintry fairy tale

Shown here at Concept Korea and later in her solo show, Son Jung Wan told Meniscus before the show that this dark violet pleated mesh gown was her favorite piece in her Fall 2013 collection. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Son Jung Wan’s ladylike, Kandinsky-inspired Fall 2013 collection would be perfect for the lead characters of a wintry fairy tale set on the Upper East Side of New York. The matriarch of the fictional family would choose the sophisticated below-the-knee peach wool pencil skirt paired with a light pink wrap jacket with fur collar, the delicate pastel shades all the better to deceive society’s upper crust into believing she actually has a warm personality. Meanwhile, her aesthetically less-than-blessed daughter knows she would appear more fetching while wearing the designer’s off-white wool coat with fur sleeves and funnel collar.

Although the Cinderella of the story is relegated to her stepmother and stepsister’s castoffs, she nonetheless has her pick from this sophisticated collection, choosing a deep violet long pleated mesh gown to run away in at the Met Costume Institute Gala. And what a glamorous escape it will be, dashing down the museum’s steps at midnight while wearing violet platform heels with fur trim circling the ankles.

However, it wasn’t so much the elegant cut of the clothes as it was the beautiful and rich colors that captured one’s attention. The runway show began with the soft embrace of looks in pale pink and ivory (a refreshing palette for fall, when most designers would err toward darker colors), and then dreamily deepened into dove gray and camel before reaching saturated purple and blue jewel tones, with a deep dash of oxblood thrown in for gravity.

Should Prince Charming also want in on some of the sartorial action, Son Jung Wan included a handful of men’s looks in her collection. While they seemed somewhat of an afterthought to the more cohesive women’s wear shown, there was potential in the beige coat layered over a dark ivory turtleneck and worn with ivory pants. Now all he needs is a white horse from one of the carriage drivers in Central Park to sweep Cinderella away to the Hamptons.

Son Jung Wan Fall 2013 - New York Fashion Week

A burgundy chiffon chandelier dress from Son Jung Wan’s Fall 2013 runway show in New York. (photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

Photos: Son Jung Wan Fall 2013 solo runway show – New York Fashion Week
all photos by Rodin Banica