COLLECTIONS

The designers studied the work of renown Japanese artist Kusakabe Kimbei as they created the collection.

Julie came across a hand bound book in a small antique shop in rural Texas. Jason researched the book and it turned out to be filled with original hand tinted photographs of life in Japan during the end of feudalism. He painstakingly retouched images and combined them with his cherry blossom ink drawings for one of the iconic prints of the season. Together the designers pushed the collection forward by incorporating layered custom tie-dye prints with iridescent transparent organza, powerful diagonally cut blazers, fish wire trimmed dresses and skirts, and graphically striped pieces. VIEW THE KIMBEI GALLERY

The work of Carl Akeley, famed taxidermist/conservationist/painter/sculptor/ all-around Renaissance man, was the inspiration for this collection.

The Alkires studied Akeley's work for major museums and included a custom Diorama print on a variety of fabrics - and an intricate jacquard knit of the same design. The designer's tailored edge continues with wool, tech fabrics, and lamb used on dramatic blazers, trousers, and colorful skirts. Hand drawn animals round out the nod to the conservationist in deep pink and bold red for a portion of the collection. And, maintaining their base of unique dresses the duo utilizes textured silks combined with their signature draping and tucking techniques. VIEW THE DIORAMA GALLERY

This collection draws inspiration from the Alkire's trip to Verbier, Switzerland.

Courtesy of W Hotels and the CFDA the designers explored the Canton of Valais. They dined, toured a vineyard, and relaxed in between hiking, fishing, and cycling. They were also treated to a helicopter tour of the Alps - landing on Rosa Blanche (11K ft). They dried, pressed, and photographed flowers from different elevations, including Edelweiss, which appear in the custom prints. And, referencing the country's graphic elements the Alkires included bold stripes, transparent layered checks and botanical prints, color palette studies, modern lace treatments, and airy cottons into the collection. VIEW THE VERBIER GALLERY

This collection is filled with points inspired by the art direction of Henry Bumstead.

The famed art director/production designer was known for his acute attention to detail and ability to transform environments into supporting characters in such films as Vertigo, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Slaughterhouse Five, Cape Fear, and To Kill a Mockingbird. Note the colors - especially in the custom prints of monochromatic butterflies and florals. The collection includes custom mink fur and fox trimmed coats, quilted custom prints, plaid printed tech fabrics, iridescent gold velvet, Japanese wool, coated cotton, laser cut lamb, and architectural tailored pieces with a focus on draping and folding. VIEW THE BUMSTEAD GALLERY

The collection was created with the idea of one's "exotic alter-ego," and the manner in which people adjust their personas while on vacation.

The designers began by researching images of Coney Island throughout the last several decades, and they noticed the usage of flamingos and other birds, polka dots, leopard print, and bold stripes. Similarly, the designers noticed the modern usage of the characteristics while on vacation in Mexico and Florida during the past summer. The collection incorporates hand painted watercolor images, light weight brocades, rich felt stripes, airy cottons, and transparent layered organzas over silk failles. VIEW THE EXOTIC ALTER-EGO GALLERY

This collection explores Anthropomorphism, specifically in the realm of rare birds and artists whose work is inspired by the idea of hybrid humans.

The designers began the season with work of Lucy Glendinning. With her feather-covered creations, Lucy explores the idea of a genetic manipulated future society. The designers also explored Anthropomorphic art dating back to ancient Greece when it could be seen in family crests. From Jason's artwork, the designers created their own crest using rare birds - including Temminck's Tragopan pheasants. These birds inspired an illustration, which morphed into a heavy saturated black ink graphic. The collection incorporates advanced forms of crochet using virgin wool, cashmere, cotton, and nylon. VIEW THE ANTHROPOMORPHISM GALLERY

The collection was derived from the development and social support of the Central Park Conservatory in and around the time of Mark Twain.

The designers studied historical photos and books that focused on the social aspects of New York City in the late 1800s. From there the designers found cues from the blooming of the tulips and wisteria pergola. Complex embroidered textiles were created that mirror the pergola with and without foliage. Modern floral prints were made from numerous flowers found in the garden and custom mesh was created to mimic the detailed lattice work. Shades of soft lemon, bright blue, subtle blush, and fresh green compliment the stark black and white striped and embroidered pieces. VIEW THE CENTRAL PARK CONSERVATORY GALLERY

The collection paints a story of imagination from a trip to Overlook Mountain.

Images reminiscent of this journey and the landscape on the mountain are brought to life in a collection of alluring heavy crepe silk prints, velvet-textured silk cotton, needle punched wools, fox and dip-dyed furs, snakeskin, and embossed lamb. A limb from the eerie tree found at the grand entrance is visible on silk twill and silk organza, which is layered atop the image of deceased roses. A print of fox fur fades from its original color to black and white, while the creature's outline emerges in layered embroidered tree branches on black silk organza. VIEW THE OVERLOOK MOUNTAIN GALLERY

This collection is inspired by the culture and ingenuity of island dwelling societies - particularly, the Bahamian people and their celebration of Junkanoo.

Functionality and color are the cornerstones of the collection. The fundamental masculine and feminine point-of-view is brought to life by the use of industrial closures, tissue weight leathers, coated tweeds, and Japanese featherweight poly nylons. Their are also hand-painted watercolors prints detailed in several pieces. VIEW THE BAHAMIAN JUNKANOO GALLERY

The collection is inspired by imagery found within century old French poetry.

Poetic notes of romanticism influence the masculine and feminine perspectives seen within the collection of dark and light brocades, fused wools, chalk menswear stripes, anaconda skins and flat textured furs. Black and white prints based on typography from a 19th century French book of poems, and images of the bronze statue of Diana the Huntress found in London's Hyde Park instill the emotional imagery. VIEW THE FRENCH POESIE GALLERY

This collection is based on the colors and textures found in antique cars and boats.

Metal clasps, wood grain and perforated leather, along with handmade eyelash piping are the subtle details found throughout the collection. The prints are based on photographs of bright colored cars and trucks from the designers own fine art portfolio. VIEW THE VINTAGE TRANSPORT GALLERY

The collection is inspired by the manner in which light and color reflect off and through surfaces.

Illumination and reflection influence the collection with vividly colored prints juxtaposed with jet hematite and white opal crystals. Vibrant prints based on the Banksia flower, an image of a dark building lit by candlelight, and overexposed still life photographs interject the treatments of light and shadow. The collection explores texture through the use of exotic eel and anaconda skins, flat textured furs, washed crepe silks, cashmeres, fused wools, and the hard surfaces of crystals. The collection was complimented by custom millinery work by GIGI BURRIS. VIEW THE LIGHT REFLECTION GALLERY

The Vesper collection is based on an anecdote created from an experience Julie Haus Alkire and Jason Alkire had in a dimly lit bamboo forest on a Polynesian island.

The collection was filled with bamboo and Plumeria photographic prints and hand sketched coastlines. The collection was complimented by custom millinery work by GIGI BURRIS. VIEW THE VESPER GALLERY