Lie Sang Bong Resort 2016

For a first resort collection, Lie Sang Bong’s first outing demonstrated that the Korean designer not only knows his customer base well but also has a keen eye on where resort collections are heading. No longer the sole province of the idle rich or the woman with deep pockets who has the leisure time and cache to island hop or slope surf from exotic locale to ski chalet and needs a wardrobe to match her travels. Resort wear is quickly transitioning into a market that has an appeal that goes beyond dilettantes and trust fund babes.

Lie Sang Bong is hoping to cash in on that consumer. As we are culturally moving away from brick and mortar jobs to vertical office jobs that are global in scope, Lie Sang Bong’s customer could be globetrotting around the world for work and have some extra days off to bask in the sun or shuss down a slope. This collection can appeal to that type of jetsetter.

Though not heavy on the glamour side—and at times a bit clinical—this collection was both utilitarian with elements of sophistication with contrasts on soft and hard, masculine silhouettes juxtaposed against feminine concepts. True to form, Bong’s design aesthetic of minimal, linear simple silhouettes is the undergirding element throughout this collection.

 A simple color palette of tan, ocean blue, peach, cream, grey, black, and white is offset with gold and silver jewelry-like embellished details. Several garments feature metal chains, which are removable and can be worn separately as jewelry, such as black jacket with details on the pockets that can be worn as bracelets, and a peach silk dress with a gold neck detail that can be worn as a necklace. Gold and silver zippers are used as subtle accents on several of the jackets and dresses, allowing garments to be worn in a variety of ways. Customized gold and silver buttons are either round or linear, and the majority of garments feature silver chain detail on the interior lining.

Standouts in this collection include lightweight outerwear, designed with versatility in mind. An ankle-length sleeveless vest in lightweight wool features a long panel of sheer chiffon panels on the bottom and is paired with a pant, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated silhouette. A signature trench coat is offered in a soft, ultra-lightweight tan or lemon-lime nylon.

—William S. Gooch