The Blonds Spring 2016

 Is it possible for The Blonds to turn their aesthetic volume up any higher than they have in past seasons? If their spring 2016 collection is any indication of the design duos ability to outshine previous collections, then mission accomplished!!

Inspired by the land of the Pharaohs and their love of gold, as well as inspired by fine jewels connoisseur Estella Trujillo, for spring 2016 The Blonds outdid themselves with bustiers, bodysuits, moto jackets, and cocktail dresses all resplendent in crystals and semi-precious stones. From the garments to the accessories, this collection was a dissertation on The Blonds penchant and continued love affair with jeweled glamour funneled through a prism of rock n’ roll mixed with haute couture glamour.

As over the top or excessive as this projection could have gone, this collection was not overdone or gaudy. The Blonds managed to inject restraint and sophistication into a collection could have easily become a dissertation on eye-blaring sparkle.  That is where the design duo’s craftsmanship came into play. After many years of creative, and occasionally outrageous stage costumes, The Blonds have mastered their craft of bedazzling simple silhouettes. And that is the essence of their genius, taking tried-and-true silhouettes and masterfully embellishing in ways not often seen. Additionally, the subtle injection of Egyptian iconography into many of the garments was sublime!!

And unlike previous seasons, for spring 2016The Blonds had some of the best runway models in the business. For those who follow The Blonds every season, the brand favors very lithe models in very high stiletto or thigh boots. Unfortunately, some seasons the models are bit too thin to bring the right of amount sass and vixen to the collection. And occasionally The Blonds employ models that are not great walkers. Not this season!! The strut and fierceness was dead on this season.

Standouts from the spring 2016 collection, and there were many, were the Cleopatra corset dress with hand cut and embroidered gold feather and crystal details on lame, crocodile bustier maxi dress with embroidered crystal and hand cut crocodile leather, pyramid motorcycle jacket with hand embroidered gold pyramid and crystal detail, and Horus bodysuit with hand-embroidered 3D baguette and crystal detail.

—William S. Gooch