NYFW S/S 2014: 3.1 Philip Lim

Known for his commercial yet contemporary collections, Philip Lim is the quintessential downtown New York designer, and for Spring/Summer 2014 he looked to the earth for an inspired update to his wearable aesthetic.

Gemstones, minerals and rock formations inspired print and colour, with embroidered organza pieces offering multi-tonal depictions of geodes and salt crystals. Reflective, high-shine pieces like holographic biker jackets and silver skirts exaggerated the collection’s crystalline starting point, while tie-dye and patchwork raffia pieces worked to cement the earthen references. Crisp, boxy white looks and chunky matt black leather accessories kept the collection modern, with androgynous shapes counteracting the sugary-sweet printed sherbet hues.

Lim has a knack of creating a covetable, tomboyish feel even when turning his hand to dresses or crop tops and skirts, making these traditionally feminine pieces easy-going and relaxed, rather than overtly sexy. While the wavy, geode-inspired patterns and contemporary rounded shapes made for statement pieces, Lim’s faithful customer base wouldn’t have been disappointed with the array timeless tailored trousers, minimal jackets and unfussy dresses on offer.

In terms of beauty, wet-look hair looks set to continue as a key direction into the new season. Dewy, light-reflecting skin with a slight lilac tint to eyelids subtly reflects the shimmering tones of natural crsytals.

See our coverage of NYFW from last season for a recap of A/W 13-14’s key trends and designers.