The new collection by The Row had a minimalist, unfussy look, but no attention was spared when it came to achieving that effect. As always, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen had devoted themselves to crafting the most beautiful pieces possible from the most beautiful fabrics imaginable. And then they decided to show the results in the most relaxed way feasible — with guests and designers alike sitting on the carpet of their Tribeca showroom.
Walking between mid-century furniture, a potted ficus, and leather poufs, the models wore some of the best coats seen anywhere in this snowy week of peak coat-envy. They came in a palette of mainly neutral colors and all natural fabrics, ranging from warm brown leather to supple lemony silk and insanely soft navy wool. Uniting them was a preference for an ankle-length hemline. And while the collection mostly favored loose fits and volume, a pale-pink astrakhan coat with a super-svelte tailored silhouette was a clear winner.
Underneath the coats — not that you need to wear anything under a perfect leather trench coat — were long, slinky silk tunics in colors that often matched the outerwear. Because when you have a palette that beautiful, why mess with it?
Rounding things out, polished leather ankle boots added something solid to all the airiness. Walking around the showroom after the presentation ended, you could appreciate their construction up-close. (The black ones have two rows of white stitching down the side, the brown ones have mannish loafer-style seams. Both pairs are perfect.) The designers also offered up little bow-fronted sandals and a handful of immediately covetable bags (the obvious favorite being a sort of velvet pouch tied like a handkerchief).
The implicit argument in all of this was, if you can have three perfect pairs of shoes, why buy more? And ditto the clothes. And why the current crazy, nonsensical show schedule, when you can look at — and actually touch — the clothes on offer while drinking a coffee?
Credits
Text Alice Newell-Hanson
Images courtesy The Row