Elizabeth Kennedy Spring 2018 Ready-To-Wear....Fashionweekly..On Fow24news.com

Even at its best, evening-wear can feel staid, so it makes sense that its young talents are looking to artists who flouted convention....

Citing René Magritte as an influence, Elizabeth Kennedy used her Spring collection to subvert expectations. Kennedy has always sought to make the concept of party dressing relevant for modern women, and this season’s art world undercurrent worked especially well. The cheekiness of her surrealist touches added mirth to each look; on its own a black cocktail dress with a full skirt is nice, but adding silk flowers so realistic they seem plucked from a garden removes all traces of seriousness. Likewise, a stately gown feels considerably less traditional when covered with inky patterns.

The versatile print used throughout the collection was the creation of Kennedy’s husband, Igor Bogojevic, a contemporary artist whose work explores equestrian themes. Scrawled on tuxedo jackets, embroidered onto sheer overlays, and rendered in silver sequins, Bogojevic’s work was a striking addition to a lineup centered on art references.

Kennedy provided plenty of options for her audience, working in a ruffled dress covered in the words “This Is Not a Dress”—a nod to Magritte—intricate pearl beading, and even a few tulle-laden ball gowns for the purists. While most will gravitate toward the ease of her separates, a few pieces seemed dedicated to the extroverts among us, namely a slinky canary yellow number covered in crystals that seems destined for awards season.