If Peter Som were a painter , he'd be an impressionist.
He has an ability and a confidence to mix unexpected colours and fabrics to evoke a mood and feeling like no other young American designer. And he does it well.
His offering for Spring was a blast of summer color - 'popsicle' and 'sherbert' shades that transported you to an idyllic garden where he had lovingly prepared a delicious 'picnic' of separates.
A Strawberry Marble print shirt. A Hibiscus merino twist sweater. A Tomato jacquard jacket. All tantalising to the taste buds of any happy-go-lucky fashionista with a taste for the retro, but with an eye for the 'updated'.
Although occasionally verging on 'Easter Parade' territory (a frothy yellow Chick dress could have been somewhat of a mascot), the collection felt younger and more flirtatious than previous seasons and although the skirts were short and the shorts were even shorter, Som still managed to maintain a degree of demureness for his uptown-meets-downtown muse.
Things have been a little difficult financially for Peter Som in the last year but if he stays on track , he could build a strong business and have the brand longevity he truly deserves for being a designer with a confident voice and a singular vision.
- Andrew Holden
