Delicate Debut
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Olympus Fashion Week benefits the big-name designers, but newcomers use the gathering of the industry to stage smaller presentations and glean some attention, too. Ashleigh Verrier is one such designer. Ms. Verrier – who won the Designer of the Year award when she graduated from Parsons School of Design in 2004 – has been selling at Saks Fifth Avenue ever since the store bought her thesis collection last year.
This year, though, she has introduced a larger spring collection, and already she has received intense interest from New York and Japanese retailers. The attention is well placed. Ms. Verrier’s style is pretty and ladylike, yet creative. Her interest in creating texture led her to include raised, stretchable seaming to several pieces, like a navy silk charmeuse dress and camisole. A white paisley jacquard was used for a 1960s-inspired sheath dress. Lace – one of the designer’s favorite fabrics – made a strong showing, especially in a high-necked shirt with delicate buttons and a prim collar.
Though this is Ms. Verrier’s second collection, it’s the first time she has taken the step of having a presentation. “I’m treating it like a debut collection,” she said. “It’s a cohesive whole.”