Monday, February 13th, 2012
Chelsea
“My collection is meant to be futuristic,” mused designer Barbara Tfank at her presentation for Fall 2012. She went on to add that her ideal customer is, “smart, chic & likes to have fun. She doesn’t want to be embarassed to wear [her] clothes in a few years.” I’ve always thought of her collections as more retro than not, but when the fabric choices are explained to be chosen to appear heavier than they are in reality, when the word “classic” is substituted for “retro” & then the garments are shown against minimalist modern art on models who’s hair is styled in a zany sort of bouffant manner, the reality is that Ms. Tfank’s pieces are looking more in the here & now than in the past.
The palette of the season was unique to this collection, as these colors really didn’t appear on any other collection of the week. This is in NO way meant to imply that these pieces were in any way seasonally inappropriate. Rather, I’m attempting to convey the reality of these pieces being unique to the core & refreshingly different in a design landscape that prove monotonous. Golden Tones of Yellow & Apricot were set against numerous shades of Blue-Green, referred to in the line notes as Peacock & Ocean Jade. Rich Browns & Deep Charcoals grounded the classic pieces which were constructed from brocades that were in reality feather light to the touch, giving the garments an ease rather than lending heft.
This collection looks as if Audrey Hepburn or Jackie Kennedy would have worn it while in reality Adele & Mrs. Obama both do. I for one don’t feel that either are attempting to look back & in fact these two women are strong role models of the times in which we live. Ms. Tfank obviously knows better than I do of what she speaks & since this showing, I for one will never look at her pieces the same way again.
-Scott French
Designer website: www.barbaratfank.com
What we’ve said: Fall 2011
What we’ve said: Fall 2010
