September 11, 2007

China may be this century’s next economic powerhouse, but it didn’t fare so well as the inspiration for Jayson Brunsdon’s spring 2008 collection. Most garments relied heavily on tired clichés of Eastern (or at least what many perceive as Eastern) dress: mandarin collars and coolie suits painted models in a palette of red, yellow, and “wasabi.” A number of Chinese robe-like gowns came down the runway, and a large-scale print of Chinese calligraphy adorning the front of a silk charmeuse dress would have been dull in language. Brunsdon did create a few winning pieces, such as a pair of stretchy metallic-embossed cotton jackets, which gave a refreshing shine to a string of jersey cotton dresses.  Later in the show, similarly radiant gowns in subtly sequined silk gave off a sexy glow.