Political Inspiration at Tuleh
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.

A Bobby Kennedy speech mashed up with Madonna’s disco-ballad “American Life” signaled the inspiration for designer Bryan Bradley’s fall collection for Tuleh: election season. Mr. Bradley presented an optimistic, colorful collection, geared toward the youthful female who’d be willing to wear a short-sleeved dress over a cable-knit sweater. Yet true to Tuleh’s style, the collection had a traditional core. It channeled iconic styles from the 1960s to the 1980s.
First there was Jacqueline Kennedy’s meticulous brand of 1960s prim pieces, as seen in a white coat, a suite of fitted suits, and a red party dress with a full skirt (but no pillbox hats); then the soulful feminist of the 1970s, in a long khaki trench coat with bright orange fur collar, and African print dresses in bright colors with easy, flowing cuts. Finally, the pretty-punk look of Madonna circa 1985, the same year she embarked on her “Like a Virgin” tour, mixed together with a good dose of that decade’s preppy Ralph Lauren-like style. There was a bright pink lace full skirt with a big flower at the waist, paired with a purple metallic striped sweater. The show closed with one crisp, sophisticated and timeless look: a ruffled cream blouse with light brown trousers.

