Lie Sang Bong Fall 2014

Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga, have all sung the praises of Lie Sang Bong.  And his fall 2014 debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has created a chorus of accolades for the “renaissance man” approach to fashion as an art form with nature as inspiration.

Bong set the runway ablaze with a volcanic vision, drawing from the color palette of Yellowstone Park’s majestic Prismatic Spring, which were transformed into an explosion of sizzling reds, blazing yellows, hot white, later cooled by deep oceanic blues and neutral tones.

Bong’s fall 2014 collection began with a black cocoon coat dotted with red circles, mimicking the beginning bubbling of a volcano.  Then Bong sent a sizzling red dress long sleeved sheath emblazoned with a horizontal fiery design line of red, white and yellow flames ascending from a black hem baseline.

Influenced by the Bauhaus era, Lie Sang Bong applied geometric designs and vertical and horizontal lines of color.  Using houndstooth, Bong utilized technology to enlarge the pattern, modifying it into a digital design that he blended with reds, blues or sometimes greens and yellows. Bong worked with the fabrications of delicate lace, smooth silk, fox fur, cashmere and wool.

A series of outerwear included reversible cropped jackets, and coat of lambs wool“tech fabric” that was printed, embroidered and then lined in black neoprene with leather pockets.  A red cashmere and wool coat covered with embroidered lace, printed with a modified houndstooth and dyed was another standout.

Lie Sang Bong, who spent five years preparing for his New York debut brought his Parisian precision in a series of evening gowns that were perfectly fitted. Lie’s fit was reminiscent of the 40s fit Rita Hayward had for her dance numbers in Gilda.  The series of gowns included a traditional formal offering of a black tiered gowns and a black strapless gown with cobalt blue details. Bong incorporated the volcanic theme with an evening gown with swirling black and red interspersed with the houndstooth patterns.

Bong has created a collection that fits his philosophy that “fashion is defined by the lifestyle and culture of the people who wear it.” So this collection is not for Beyoncé, Rihanna, or Lady Gaga.  “My goal is always to design in a way that pays respect to tradition while providing something that is relevant for the present, marrying art and commerce, craftsmanship and innovation. The confident, intelligent women of New York have an innate understanding appreciation for this balance.”

—Francesca Simon