Claudia Li continues the exploration of dreams in spring 2018

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Sep 13, 2017

Claudia Li is very focused on the meaning of dreams. The New York City-based designer debuted on Tuesday her spring 2018 collection that shares its inspiration with her first resort collection that debuted in June.

 
Gallery III at Skylight Clarkson Square was transformed into a dark hallway with rows of vertical boxes where the models stood.
 
The first looks upon entering the venue featured flower patterns on playful silhouettes that featured bow details and navy ribbon ties. The daisy-patterned ensembles seemed tame compared to the unconventional silhouettes of the pink flower outfits, one of which had mismatched sleeve lengths and shoulder seams.

The collection became darker as the venue reached the end of the hall, and featured short kimonos in white cotton and denim, evergreen silk dresses and cropped tops, and elegant navy and deep red dresses with exaggerated shoulders, plunging neck lines and exposed sides.
 
Li looked not only to dreams for inspiration but also to Akira Kurosawa’s film Dreams, especially for the colors used in the collection.

The 2017/18 Woolmark Prize nominee also introduced the Kete bag this season, a leather flower basket shaped accessory that complimented a sleeveless cropped shirt with a bow tie and a long skirt with tie detail.