The Tamesis
When Isabel Wilkinson Schor transitioned her career from editor to designer, she set out to create what her wardrobe was missing: vibrant essentials that appeal to busy women. A few years later, after landing a coveted storefront and studio spot on East 64th Street, Schor began to show off her playful side.
“The starting point for this season was a lot of depictions of chaos, richness and youthful exuberance,” she said. This led her to delve into the crowd photography of Andreas Gursky. For Shore, the dynamic patterns of his work are reminiscent of radio or television static, then expressed in unique prints that look exactly the same. There is a balancing act in the pieces made with it: the almost vibrating dots bring chaos, but the structured silhouettes, like the corset, work to control it.
The collection retains Schor’s signature effortless style, while a more vibrant tone set by radio static prints runs throughout. Particularly exciting is a cherry red double-sided cashmere skirt with a curved back inspired by 1960s haute couture. Underneath is a cobalt blue merino wool turtleneck, white poplin button-down top and black bonded satin biker pants with fisherman-style “wader” stitching on the upper thighs.
Other key pieces strike a second balance between weight and light, such as a metallic apron top and hand-stitched beaded skirt, or a pleated dress with alternating strips of silk georgette that create a subtle lightness of movement. Between the bold use of color and contrasting textures, the fall collection aptly represents the newfound richness that Schor hopes to embrace.
