Few would argue that it’s elegantly draped, monochrome (or mostly monochrome color-blocked) body-hugging cocktail/day dresses that Roland Mouret does best. There was certainly much of those in the designer’s Spring 2012 collection, but many of them, though impeccably draped, came finished with a floral motif or an oversized eye cut-out/motif that they could have done without. Mouret was more successful when he ventured out of his comfort zone via red, white, ivory, or blue separates (tops, jackets, coats and a button down), with contrasting black shoulders. Similarly, zippers down the backs of skirts, bandage-like bra tops, and bra-like cut-outs on dresses gave a welcomed edgier feel to some of the designer’s always sophisticated designs.
