see the full collection in our Photo Gallery
story by Landon Peoples
photos by Zoe Hiigli
web editor Rachel Reneé
“Strength and power. And confidence. Strength, power, and confidence,” designer Alexandria Hilfiger shouted over the crowd when explaining the idea behind her and partner, Nary Manivong’s, Fall 2012 ready-to-wear collection. Relatively new to the scene, the petite duo escaped notoriety for their signature shirtdress and bared witness their many (hidden) talents. Collars on top of collars, dresses on top of shirts, and prints on top of prints revealed detail and contemplation amidst the buzz of color and layering presented in this third Nahm collection.
The contrast between the strength Ms. Hilfiger described and the softness of their previous collections was exemplified by shear silk chiffon blouses and velvet capes. The two tempered the array of prints and tuxedo dresses with more simple pieces, such as a cream crepe shell top and chartreuse silk wide-leg trousers, giving the line-up a breath of fresh air and ease to onlookers’ dissecting eyes. Pleats of skirts, asymmetrical cuts of dresses, and relaxed silhouettes of pantsuits added variety to Nahm’s merger of menswear and womenswear. The notion of “color for Fall” was thrust with salmon, chartreuse, navy, and plum, which made the designs distinct against each other.
With each collection, this twosome grows in dexterity and passion with their key observance of what’s “in” today, and what their customers really want. Hilfiger and Manivong conquered the challenge of creating ready-to-wear, wearable, that still makes a statement. From just a few glances at each garment, it is obvious these designers have a clear sense of what women will respond to. Nahm’s Fall 2012 collection exemplified the perfect fusion of femininity and masculine undertones: the should-be product of a male-female designing pair.
