Allude S/S ’10 New York Fashion Week
By Nick Palacios, Fashion Stylist

Cashmere in spring? Oxymoron?  Not for Germany’s Allude, run by Munich native Andrea Karg.  The stateside debut at New York Fashion Week launches an initiative to bring cashmere to the market in fresh shapes with sweet sorbet colors.  Models strutted in sexy sheaths, oversized outerwear, slinky sweaters, darling cardigans, and cheeky high waisted undies, all of which crafted from Karg’s luxe fabric of choice.

Albeit a peculiar choice of fabric for spring garments, Allude convinces us of its practicality, through the garment’s lightweight shear nature, and ability to operate as separates.  What woman wouldn’t want to summer stargaze in such a luxuriously breezy knit?  

Karg painted imagery of 1950’s Miami and Panama as the starting point for her inspiration this season. “…it’s Baltic sea coloring, when the light of the sun hits the water and the colors become more dull and less saturated.” There was no want for color in this show, as every hue from dusty lavender, and pale blue, to mint green, lollipop yellow, and sandy brown appeared to my eyes delight. 

The shapes are not overly literal in reference to the era of inspiration, but rather denote a demure guise, to an at times minimal sexiness.  No look was without its appropriate coordinating accessory; many looks belted with latex sashes and accessorized with turban-esque head wraps. This collection was not a challenge to interpret.  There is a need for wearable cashmere separates, and Allude delivers. Not overthunk, but imaginative.