Of all of the German designers showing in Berlin, René Storck is probably the least likely to being taken to task for a shoddy finish or lack of polish in his clothes. And while this season has seen a general improvement on that score, Storck still upped the ante. To the refrain of “history repeats itself,” the ardent classicist sent out timeless investment pieces that radiated quality, but in the most understated manner.
Noting that fabric — rather than silhouette — was his starting point this season, Storck worked linen (and a double-faced linen/batiste variant), washed poplin, bleached cashmere, Army canvas and a new stretchy high-tech poplin into a transseasonal lineup, which also included men’s wear for the first time. Black and white photos, showing an early generation of surfers and the natural chic of Katherine Hepburn leaving the tennis court with a blazer over her shoulder, were the style impulses behind his effortless looks. Cases in point: a white cashmere ribbed turtleneck for him with just the right amount of droop, worn with white canvas trousers not too baggy nor too lean, and a white popover storm jacket for her that made one simply yearn for bad weather.