A floral dress is standard fare from Lela Rose, but this season the designer approached it a little differently. Her canvas skirt sets came embellished with floral appliqués that were actually made by hand from leather. Rose was rightly proud of this new detail, pointing out that the appliqués won’t lose their shape or structure, and that the mixed textile components add something new to the closets of her customers.
Over the years, the brand has become a dependable source for evening wear, especially for Southerners. Now, in a more experimental frame of mind, Rose used casual fabrics for those signature dresses. A floral gown, for instance, was made from simple cotton poplin. Though it was lined with horsehair fabric to add volume and drama, it retained its relaxed perspective.