The American Southwest in combination with the work of Carl Auböck led Tory Burch in a notably relaxed, feminine direction for resort. “I’ve always been inspired by Auböck,” she said. “The way he takes commonplace utilitarian things and makes the most beautiful design, like a bottle opener or a glass and obviously beautiful furniture.” The utilitarianism was most obvious in slouchy cotton workwear pants in mustard yellow and army green. They felt new for Burch and gave a hardy, dressed-down tomboy vibe to the rest of the collection’s crafty, free spirit.
Southwestern basketry motifs showed up on woven knits and Bajas, and on maxidresses, including a sexy cutout style, that came in desert patterns. Burch punctuated the dusty desert spirit with a deliberate dose of kitsch, jazzing up a woven sundress with a neckline embroidered with red chilis and developing Southwestern prints that featured amusing motifs such as a retro telephone. Basket-inspired handbags and fun jewelry accentuated the collection’s colorful state of play.