In a season when it's all about outerwear, Véronique Leroy's walking coat-inspired collection is perfect.
The Belgian designer was thinking about hiking and trekking (in style, of course) for a collection based on coats and jackets. He turned to technical fabrics and waterproof nylon to create exteriors with soft gathers and bows. The collection has clever twists, like wide, removable collars that can function as scarves or hoods, or shoulders that slit open for an asymmetrical edge.
Other versions are made in wool for more relaxed walks or around town, including a coat with an interior belt for proportion and flare like a cape, while others are lined in mohair for warmth without adding bulk. The pieces were protective but without aggression.
Wool gabardine jumpsuits, velvet dresses with gathered bodices, and mutton-sleeved sweaters offered options to pair with all those fantastic coats. Turtlenecks were cut so generously that one could protect themselves from the elements, and it looked to the house's '80s roots for broader shoulders in other fabrics.
Denim was stiff and baggy, both in voluminous skirts and wide-leg pants. In Leroy's never-ending quest for utility, the jeans featured hidden elastic and an adjustable waist so they could be worn high or low while still being comfortable and stylish. For this collection he turned to simple colors from nature, in rich bark browns, sky blue and banana green.
Leroy went for a complete look and complete coordination, creating removable shoe covers and legs that coordinated with key pieces for a complete, monolithic look. Take on the elements with these clever coats and key accessories.
