Tadashi Shoji Spring/Summer 2013: The Silk Road

While the Silk Road has served as inspiration for many a fashion collection, I’ve never seen inspiration interpreted as literally as Tadashi Shoji’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Not literal in the sense that the models were battling thieves or selling wares on the runway, but literal in that the presentation of the collection started out with Venetian-inspired gowns and ended with printed chiffon dresses inspired by the Dunhuang caves in China. Despite the Silk Road references, each look remained modern but gradually gathered inspiration from East to West. Such a fashion journey revealed very beautiful, ethereal, flowy (Oscar-worthy!) gowns and some unexpected twists. I never thought I’d see the day that an ikat print would make it onto an evening gown, but somehow it worked.

On a funny note that really only appeals to you if you’re a basketball fan — I stood in front of Knicks coach Mike Woodson while trying to reach my seat in the pre-show runway traffic jam that happens to you when you walk to your seat the wrong way. Later on while reading the news, I read that Daisy Fuentes and Troian Bellisario (Pretty Little Liars) were sitting next to him and I didn’t notice! I guess it was Mike Woodson’s facial hair.

Here are some photos I managed to take at the show:

For more information about Tadashi Shoji, visit his official site here.