LEONARD AW2016/17 Collection

 LEONARD AW2016/17 collection has drawn its inspiration from the brands heritage, in order to build a collection in perfect symbiosis with its DNA. A return to roots and heritage, with a creative direction undertaken by the brand design studio. The collection unveils an elegant and dynamic woman with a great sense of freedom and style, inspired by heroines in the seventies including Loulou de la Falaise, Marisa Berenson, Diana Vreeland, who all enabled the bohemian chic essence to become noble. A joyful and traveling soul whose sophisticated allure has no limit other than her imagination.

The Leonard woman is both urban and cosmopolitan and in complete synergy with her epoch. With a lavaliere collar, hovering its way from the neckline to the sleeves, the blouse now becomes a fundamental piece. This silhouette is also imagined as a shirt version with a Texan twist. A ‘step aside’ which reveals a touch of humour.

A return to basics is also illustrated in an obvious way, through the choice of prints and fabric, as in the silk fabric which wraps the body curves with fluidity in order to accentuate them. During a trip to Mumbai, Daniel Tribouillard, invited by the Indian government, chose the design of a cachemire print, evoking a journey between Europe and Asia.

He also invents the Radjah flower print, in the form of a carpet, which portrays the brands iconic symbol. From ancient maps dating from the XVII century, discovered in Portobello Road market in London, he creates the Maps of the World motif, synonym of a dreamy escape. When they do not shatter in all their intensity, the patterns find themselves in the detail of the lapels in a coat sleeve, in the pockets or in a belt on a pant.

To counterbalance the omnipresence of the vibrant print, Leonard wished to offer its vision of a solid color whilst respecting the brands codes. This can be defined as a ‘false solid’, playing with fabrics and prints, mixing architectural silks, sequins and lace, with black and dark blue color codes.

Equally found in the trench covered in marine sequins with a discrete reminder on the lining – a matching cachemire motif. As well as the black overprinted silk dress from the seventies, with dark blue lace on the pockets and sleeves.

For evening wear, long dominates in order to evoke the timeless heroines of the seventies. Sophisticated, elegant and free after all. This freedom is also found in the treatment of the print, which imposes itself on its own, and directly applied to the lace.