Now this one makes me sad. Today WWD reports that Doo-Ri Chung has left her namesake label, which she founded in 2001.
So far there's been no explanation about why she's decided to leave and it all seems a bit strange. The brand has been doing so well over the past few years especially. Michelle Obama helped put the brand into the consciousness of the public when she sported one of her creations for a state dinner and most recently she had that successful collection with Macy's.
There was so much to love in Doo-Ri Chung's latest collection. While she is best known for her draping, season after season she continues to rework this signature and prove that she's not just a one trick pony.
Of course, the draping was there but this time it felt different. Her signature simple draped dresses appeared alongside new styles mixed with knitwear details on the sleeves or on the chest. Tops that came with a draped halter-neck style-wrap around the neck with knit sleeves were extremely elegant teamed with high waisted trousers with thick waistbands whilst also feeling inherently fresh.The introduction of olive tones on a leather and knitwear dress combo worked and added a modern feeling to the otherwise classic collection.
If there's anyone that can do urban femininity it's Doo Ri Chung. This season she continued to play with her signature draping but for fall she added a touch edge. A navy batwing floor length draped dress was nipped in at the waist teamed with a statement leather cuff and effortless hair and make-up and dresses also came styled under structured urban jackets in charcoal. Draping also appeared most notably on a black dress with navy lace detail across the bust teamed with lace over the knee boots that would make Carine Roitfeld smile.
Tailoring also appeared on grey cigarette pants teamed with long cardigans in navy and sporty silk jackets with jersey sleeves. Knitwear also appeared such as a grey jumper with a think chain mail detail along the front teamed with a navy leather skirt and a head-to-toe grey look featured a floor length fringed cardigan with a similar scarf, teamed with a simple grey tee and cropped wide leg trousers.
Doo-Ri Chung continues to be the fashion-loving woman's fashionista. Around The Fash Pack, we group her with designers like Rachel Roy and the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte because of her knack to create fashion-forward pieces that still consider the silhouette.
Case in point: a draped, strapless, dusky-blue dress sent down the runway for the Spring '10 Doo.Ri show. It's a rare talent to use a large amount of fabric over a little area and have an attractive result. Also, the sheer black cocktail dress Chung created didn't leave us sick of seeing exposed knickers through evening wear, but rather admiring how much a cute little frock could resemble a Spanish fan.
Chung included tougher touches, like grey lipstick and chain-embellished footwear, and it's those rough touches she throws in that make us love her even more. We say this designer stays in the inner circle. What about you?
