Reed Krakoff Spring 2014: Relaxed Elegance

Reed Krakoff, former creative director of Coach, launched his namesake brand in fall 2010 and quickly made simple silhouettes in neutral tones his signature. And for spring 2014, Krakoff did not deviate—it’s a collection filled with looks that scream “relaxed elegance.” The Krakoff aesthetic is grown and sexy, sleek but not at all uptight; it’s effortless but absolutely mature.

Mostly employing a palette of champagne, blush, white and icy gray, Krakoff offered a fresh take on color for spring (avoiding the usual pastel trap by a margin, but still feeling spirited). Garment-wise, it was relaxed dresses and lightweight coats all the way. Parallel lines of center ruching popped up more than once in the collection (to mixed results), as did sky-high skirt slits, made modest with an underlay of translucent fabric.

Surprising, but not unwelcome, were the pops of brighter color, like a whisper of fluorescent yellow on a paler dress or the all-over frosty yellow color of a pretty sleeveless dress. Also surprising (and maybe a little out of place) was the only real print—a subdued black-and-white ivy graphic, the answer to typical spring florals, which decorated a 3/4-sleeve top and a strapless dress.

Collection standouts include the aforementioned yellow dress, also shown in an ice blue/olive-ish colorblock, and a neat, slouchy 60s-inspired overcoat. This collection proves that while Krakoff continues to explore his neutral territories to great effect, he can also definitely stand to experiment with color once a while.