Sophie Theallet presented her first resort collection in several seasons in a series of charmingly personal mini shows at her studio, where one wall was plastered with her look book photos and sultry images of women who inspire her (ranging from Kim Kardashian to Joan Smalls). The collection, a celebration of women, their sensuality and feminine spirit, no matter their size, was sexy — sexier than Theallet has ventured before. “It’s inspired by all kind of bodies and all the women I really love,” she said. “It’s for any kind of shape. I wanted to show the beauty of the body.”
Theallet did by pairing one-shouldered crop tops with high-waisted flared pleated skirts, some above the knee, some to the floor. Dresses had cut-out backs, both sporty and lingerielike. There were looks in all white, bright red and solid black, but also a mix of dense floral prints that Theallet designed herself to manifest upbeat romance and energetic French chic. Sensual but never vulgar, the collection veered bare with a beautiful black slip gown and a silk halter dress with a slit up to wow territory, as well as covered up with long-sleeved button-up shirts and full skirts — the last one modeled by Paris-based choreographer Blanca Li, whose dance production Robot recently opened at BAM. She twirled and swirled and worked that skirt like a woman who knows her allure.