The arrival of new trends doesn’t erase those that are already in play. Tracy Reese was one of many designers who weren’t ready to see scarf dressing float away. For her fall collection she developed a number of foulard-style prints using flowers, paisleys, and geometrics; she also hand-drew a collectible curio design with the legend Look for the silver lining, “because we need that right now.” Most alluring was an indigo and white bandana print, which was also applied in tonal hues on a smart trench coat.
Scarf prints also appeared on the inner plackets of button-down shirts, some of which featured an elegant Hope for Flowers monogram. These fit into the uniform/nautical section of the collection. “I’m a big print mixer,” said Reese, who made a number of two-in-one dresses with marinière tops connected to patterned bodies.
Romance, another fall theme, was expressed through floral prints, without which no Hope for Flowers collection would be complete. There was lace too, as the eco-conscious Reese found one of a quality that met her standards. Ruffled collars, smocked sleeves, bows, and form-fitting vest-like tops added a vintage feeling that came from Reese’s research into “images of Black women from the late 1800s,” which influenced both silhouettes and prints. “I think I’m of a certain age that loves vintage and classics,” she said. “I want these pieces to live in people’s wardrobes for as long as they want to wear them and as long as they last.”
