Ease — it’s the one word that designer Michelle Ochs used to describe what she aims to deliver to her customer for pre-fall. She, like many, has had a lot on her mind as of late but one thing she doesn’t want her clients to overthink is their wardrobe. “A kind of sense of ease. I feel like after everything this year, it just feels like weight off your shoulders,” she said, speaking about several lighter fabrications she incorporated this season.
“I wanted it to feel wearable,” she said. The lighter ideas showed up in a few day options — an orange top with canvas belt to cinch it, styled with a matching wide-leg pant. Could be day but still a touch sexy. It’s a nice evolution for a brand known for the bandage dress. The theme continued with knit dresses, some with bits of hardware and button details. (If you know Ochs’ previous work, you know she likes a touch of hardware.)
Her color palette was expanded with pops of pink, royal blue on a mix of textured knit and bandage dresses. Other pieces, like a a lavender draped single shoulder number, had scarf details cascading about. “Things that’ll catch the air,” she called the details. “Things that we might not necessarily be known for. But I think there’s beautiful ways that we can interpret it on our own.”
Ochs is pushing the brand into the now, but still remembering where it all began. Speaking of: The iconic bandage dresses were color blocked with sheer paneling. They leaned into the sensual side but felt modern, perfect for a young actress as red caret season approaches.
