Tome is no longer the new kid in town. Since presenting their Fall 2013 collection at New York Fashion Week in February, the NYC-via-Sydney duo has been nominated for the CFDA award, that holy beacon of talent fostering that has seen Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Rodarte and Joseph Altuzarra benefit from valuable mentoring and beefy cash prizes.
The Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin Spring 2014 collection gave us hope they’re in with a strong chance of winning it. Taking their inspiration from the late Cuban American Ana Mendita, the designers worked her spiritual, earth-inspired philosophy into powerfully feminine clothes.
There were the same voluminous coats, delicate sheath dresses and luxurious shirting that Tome wooed New York with last season, but this time rendered in magical fabrics. Dresses were overlain with embellished tulle and the structured pieces came in phosphorescent sand and blush tones. The boys also played around with tweeds and python prints that were an unexpected but welcome complement to those dreamy maxi dresses.
Those with their discerning eyes on Friday’s presentation included Garance Doré, Jenna Lyons and the CFDA’s Steven Kolb (and presumably, though from a distance, Anna Wintour). Before the fund winner is announced, Lobo and Martin have to create one-of-a-kind looks that will be underwritten by Uniqlo and unveiled in October. We can’t wait to see what they come up with, and will have our fingers crossed until the all-important date of November 11.
Image: Tome
