Sharon Wauchob might not physically resemble Tinkerbell, but her designs possess an undeniable magic. It’s as if her hands are dusted with pixie powder, imbuing every piece with a captivating ability to float and dance. Describing Wauchob’s chiffons as anything but shadows is simply impossible. Their weightless quality is a testament to the exquisite French chiffons she utilizes and her masterful understanding of both fabric and lingerie. This spring, her chiffons reach new heights of romance. The opening look, a breathtaking explosion of voluminous fabric, sets the stage for a collection that celebrates ethereal grace. Bias-cut ruffles unfurl like delicate fern fronds, and a polka-dot printed piece showcases the artistry of heat-set Fortuny pleats.
Wauchob’s skillful use of chiffon allows her to indulge in decadent draping, contrasting the lightness of the fabric with its inherent weight. This is evident in the fifth look, an asymmetrical, Grecian-inspired column constructed with a single seam. It’s hard not to draw parallels between Wauchob’s approach and Coco Chanel’s groundbreaking elevation of jersey.
For spring, Wauchob revisits the comforting ease of pajamas, a recurring theme in her collections. She also brings back the beloved sleeve accessories – both sheer and solid – that have captivated customers for the past few seasons. In look four, these accessories are paired with a camisole and Wauchob’s signature ‘80s pants, characterized by their wide, pleated silhouette. This pairing creates a playful bubble silhouette, adding a touch of whimsy to a polka-dot lace cami and tap pants set.
In her collection notes, Wauchob reveals her fascination with the “pivot between the opulent ’80s and the raw grit of the ’90s,” and her willingness to embrace “contradictory moods as we find ourselves again at the edge of change.” However, despite the turbulent times, there’s no sense of looming crisis in Wauchob’s collection. Instead, she focuses on the in-between, exploring the delicate balance between opposing forces.
The broad shoulders of the draped top (look 7) are achieved not through padding but by twisting the fabric, reminiscent of a Mobius strip. This season, Wauchob introduces a new focus on outerwear, stating that she “wanted to show another note to the song.” She challenges herself to bring lightness to this typically structured category, utilizing her technical prowess to create a trench-kimono hybrid. The sleeves of the coat are slit, allowing for diverse styling options: fold the flaps, put your arms through them, or let the coat sit effortlessly atop your body. A hooded cape with a curved waist, rather than the traditional inverted triangle, adds further evidence of Wauchob’s innovative draping techniques.
For Wauchob, this is not a time for flatness or rigid patterns. Instead, she embraces movement and fluidity, celebrating the captivating possibilities of three-dimensional draping. She urges us to push forward, even if it’s one step at a time. Her collection is a testament to the power of creativity to inspire and uplift, reminding us that even in uncertain times, we can find beauty and grace in the ebb and flow of life.
