Loobie's Story A/W 16 East/West

Each and every collection from Loobie’s Story is inspired by travel to an exotic and unique locale, and the New Zealand label’s offering for AW16, East West is no exception.

At its heart is the iconic rail journey on the Orient Express that has been made by millions of travellers over the years, running from Paris to Istanbul and taking in beautiful and exotic locations along the way.

Loobie’s Story designer Laurinda Sutcliffe has established four key themes that explore the aesthetics at the heart of the journey, being: Modern Tribe, 70’s Revival, Neo Classical and East Meets West.

The Modern Tribe has a gently worn in, glamorous feel with a palette made up of dusty winter pastels, flattering blush tones, sage, khaki and earthy pumice and taupe. It also refines the tribal print and adds clever geometrics in new and whimsical ways.

The 70’s Revival is sophisticated as well as laidback, with denim shapes re-engineered in power stretch and a highly wearable luxe denim modal blend. Jewel tones of teal,popping magenta pink and indigo lift prints from the ordinary, whilst a tapestry influence comes through in peasant styling. The popular shearling options from AW15 return further reinvented - making them perfect for trans-seasonal dressing – as well as ethically farmed rabbit.


Photo courtesy of Lily & Louis

The East Meets West theme is where ornate embellishment and oriental motifs are bought to the fore, with bold patterns and intricate lace designs emerging in shades of cherry red, warm pinks and Ming blue. Luxe stretch silks, satin silks and brocades give a feel that is luxurious but never uptight, for a winter wardrobe that brings warmth as well as consummate style.

Neo classical is where the collection’s most sophisticated prints come to play, rendered digitally and carefully placed. Fabrication includes stretch silks that skim the body in the most flatteringly feminine way, as well as the return of the stretch vegan suede that was so popular for AW15, but taken a step further with a perforated design. Tones range from soft neutrals to sky blue rendered in damask and mono floral.

The direction for the Loobie’s Story AW16 collection is once again an about face from the laidback, beachy vibe of collections past, with a new grown up glamour that designer Laurinda Sutcliffe is proud to embrace. “AW16 for the Loobie’s Story woman is a little more grown up and sleek. There is still a nod to her folk roots but told in a more sophisticated tone, and I think our customers will love wearing it as much as we do.”

Website: www.loobiesstory.co.nz