Background
Alöe (pronounced Al-o-way) launched as a lingerie and loungewear brand in 2003. Created and designed by Claire Judge, Alöe now sells successfully in USA, Japan, UK and Europe as a lingerie label. A/W 2011-12 sees the expansion of Alöe, with the launch of a capsule ready-to-wear collection. Sex and The City" stylist Patricia Fields liked the look so much, she bought two sets of pyjamas for Carrie and Charlotte from the very first Alöe collection. Alöe dresses were also featured at length in the recent "Sex and The City" & "Spiderman 3" movies.
Inspiration
The ready-to-wear collection continues to promote Alöe as a celebration of silk. Yet this season Claire has incorporated additional luxurious fabrics into her collection with soft suiting wools and silk velvets. The collection still holds a pared down elegance and fuses Claire's personal influences by both British and Chinese cultures. Shapes are clean and uncomplicated, with pure lines creating a sense of realism in this wearable wardrobe.
Each piece subtly exposes a flawless attention to detail, from the contrasting coloured satin binding on trouser seams, to picot stitching and old-fashioned faggoting stitching along the deep hems of smocks. Alöe's signature colour palette of powdered nudes are enhanced with bejewelled tones of oyster, deep emerald green and midnight blue; colours inspired by wintry Nordic coastlines.
Key pieces to A/W11 include the introduction of trousers; a tapered charcoal cigarette wool pant and 70's wide leg wool trousers. The oyster lace trimmed silk dress is designed in delicate crepe de chine. A mood of the cocktail hour is defined by the black silk velvet evening dress with mandarin collar and high side splits. Shoulders are cut narrowly to emphasise a feminine silhouette. Waists are cinched in on dresses with soft velvet belt ties. Claire's understanding of the beauty of the female contour ensures that her ready-to-wear collection continues to skim and glide over the skin, defining a seamless silhouette through her use of drape within each design.
How does it make you feel?
glamorous with a quiet silky 'g'.
