Tadashi Shoji Fall 2015

After more than forty years in the fashion industry, Tadashi Shoji season after season manages to keep his design aesthetic fresh and appealing to consumers. For several seasons, Shoji has toyed with lace and a variety of lace embellishments as a trend he keeps returning to. Though not necessarily a signature look of his design aesthetic, the frequency with which he uses lace, regardless of the season, demonstrates that Tadashi Shoji excels at taking a typical fabrication (lace) and re-inventing and transforming it into a trans-seasonal fabric.

For fall 2015 Tadashi Shoji drew inspiration from the intersection between aircraft mechanics and winged flight. Shoji’s use of ethereal silhouettes evokes weightlessness and ease of movement. This airborne point of view is evidenced his Shoji’s use of frayed-edge silk organza, and hand-cut tulle. Again, Shoji’ utilization of lace and a variety of bold lace patterns in feathered motifs mimic bird’s wings and aerodynamic flight. Metallic fibers and colorations of copper, gold, silver conjure up images of supersonic jets and avian highways that transport to whimsical, billowy jet streams.

Interestingly, Shoji’s point of references for this collection would assumingly have more a stronghold in spring/summer collections. However, Shoji for innovative ways to manipulate diaphanous fabrics and colorations fittingly for fall/winter garments. Only a master of their trade could take a reference that evokes lightness, air, and ease of movement and expand that point of view to a new arch and perspective.

Standouts in this collection were Shoji’s ivory hand-cut tulle and silk organza feathered tea-length dress with pockets and embroidered bodice, copper/black metallic embroidered neoprene long sleeve panel shift dress, black/ivory pleated georgette gown with asymmetric feather-motif embroidered applique, and purple/nude plunge neck feather-motif embroidered applique pleated full skirt tulle gown.

That said; the adage states that there is nothing new under the sun. That may be true, but with Tadashi Shoji’s fall 2015 collection, everything old is new again!! Bravo Tadashi!!

—William S. Gooch