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What stood out above all else were her flirty,
soft dresses in tulle and chiffon in pastel colours which, for the
most part, were embroidered with sequins and antique beading and
iridescent insets. I especially adored her rosewater shimmer dress,
the ocean sequin print strapless dress, the argent tulle dress with
phosphorous trim and the rosewater canvas strapless dress with iridescent
insets. This is night-time, grown-up dressing at its most youthful
and seductive.
The jewellery, by her sister, Victoria Taylor,
whose first boutique’s opening in New Zealand was covered in Lucire
after L’Oréal New Zealand Fashion Week, consists of pieces
that were reminiscent of her homeland such as a rose gold Maori
fish-hook and koru necklace and a necklace with a beautiful set
of South Sea Pearls. The shoes, Rebecca Taylor by Moda Clea, also
accentuated the overall ocean theme and aided in making the clothing
appear all the more appealing.
Tocca by Ellis Krueger
THE SPRING 2004 COLLECTION
from Tocca got its inspiration from the ‘beauty of Murano glass
from Venice’ and carried a two-fold message. First, it is a continuation
of the exploration of the Mediterranean coast of Italy, whose culture
is at the very heart of Tocca, the company. Secondly, it is also
a  continuation
of the message first put forth by the founding designer and creative
director that ‘fashion, as an adornment for women, should make her
feel wonderful, sexy and alive.’ This is an age-old message whose
relevance is more important than ever before.
For Ellis Krueger, the present head designer and
creative director, the patterns, colour combinations and beautiful
forms of this centuries-old craft were a major source of creative
energy, which can be seen in the prints, embroideries, and the use
of abstract and naturalistic floral motifs. The one uniting theme
that binds this collection together into a cohesive symphony of
cool designs is the various tones of blues representing water and
the carefree Riviera seaside living.
Standout pieces include his sexy and form-fitting
cropped trench coats, the multiple of flirty, Gatsby-esque shift
dresses, and the cool, low-slung pants often paired with lightweight
chiffon blouses. It was, for the most part, very reminiscent of
the ’20s and ’30s when women were beginning to be liberated from
the heavy Victorian way of dressing of the early 1900s. Yet, on
the flip side of the coin, it was also designed from a very modern
point of view; therefore, there was not one hint of mustiness about
any of the designs from Mr Krueger. Tocca is known for giving their
customers a feminine, airy alternative to every day business dressing;
and so it’s no surprise then that Mr Krueger’s designs, beautifully
colourful, with its use of light and luxurious fabrics, continue
to elevate the Tocca name to create even more customer awareness.
Mr Krueger has truly grown into his job. Nowadays,
when people think of Tocca, it is not with longing for the past,
but with squeals of delight for the present offerings that each
successive season brings. And as if it is not enough that the clothing
is a success, the company has revived the much-loved and missed
handbag collection, a perfect accessory companion piece to the main
collection.
With accessories such as handbags, jewellery,
belts and shoes playing an increasing role in the financial bottom
line of design houses in all the fashion capitals around the world,
I wouldn’t be surprised if the spring 2004 handbags turn out to
be as great a success as everything else they touch. •
Phillip D. Johnson is features’ editor of Lucire.
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ABOVE AND INSET:
Tocca. REMAINING PHOTOGRAPHS: Rebecca
Taylor.
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