story by Dana Varon
photos by Ned and Aya Rosen
What a nice retreat, after pounding the New York City pavement, to come into a show presenting such bright images of nature. Julian Louie created many of his new designs using photographic images taken while on a trip to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. He then collaged them as prints, creating a fresh green group of garments.
These prints are placed on simple but strategic sheaths and shifts with different color blocks, materials, and zips. Mr. Louie has an architectural background, which is apparently conducive to his approach in designing. His work is more about “color, texture and collage than a narrative” for him. He brings his expertise but uses a “shift of scale” as after all, these are bodies that move and not buildings that stand still. His transition from architecture to apparel started when he was seduced by the imagery and editorials in magazines. This collection merges his architectural and photographic interests with interesting results.
