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The Luxe, French Bohemian Endures

The moment Scout has been waiting for has arrived. Tonight in New York, the sixth winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was announced. Designer Sophie Theallet took home the grand prize of $200,000 and a year’s mentorship.French designer Sophie Theallet had long stints with Jean Paul Gaultier and Azzedine Alaia before moving to New York and fully establishing her signature label in 2005. Since, she has become known as a favorite of fashion forward first lady, Michelle Obama. Using dressmaker fine points like pleating and smocking, Theallets work is exquisitely crafted, yet perfectly wearable for women of all ages with simple shapes like wrap dresses and shirtdresses.

Her Spring 2010 collection suggests influence from a woman traveler with its effortless pieces. Lush oranges, peach shell tones and flower bold vermillion and pink offer a palate suggested by a day at the seaside, backed by a fresh and ripe floral garden. Cowry shells on the ends of waist and v-neck ties give loose silk tops a casual drape and interesting embellishment. Shoulders of the wide neck dresses creep down the arm in a relaxed way and certainly provide a certain j’ne sais quoi and what modern woman would dispute owning that trait.

Maybe this is the beginning of our return to beautifully crafted simple dressing, ideal of course for travel and fashion royalty, Michelle. Keep an eye up for Sophie Theallet, this is just the beginning of her blossoming.

The CFDA also awarded two runners up with prizes, menswear designer Patrik Ervell and jeweler Monique Pean.

by Anush Mirbegian