Skip to Content

Toni Francesc Spring 2011

Spanish designer, Toni Francesc, showed at Lincoln Center this week. I have to admit that this was my favorite collection. I may not have loved every single item but the ones I loved, I LOVED! I was working out the strategics of how to sneak backstage and steal a few of the dresses. Just a few is all I want. I won’t be greedy and ask for everything.

The title of the show was ‘Urban Forest’. The mood was that of a sophisticated city environment where natural elements play a key role and are respected for it. Wood was used liberally in the collection. Yes, that’s right…wood. Log handbags, wooden cuffs and to-die-for rings that could double as antlers were seen. They were done in that deep brown that makes the wood look rich and experienced. The best use of the wood was in melody with the fabric. Fabrics with little weight were used and the contrast with the solidity of the wood and the evenness of the color was perfection.

Pure perfection.

The wood flowed over shoulders like if it once was liquid and got frozen mid-flow. The fabric was fitted with it through holes in the wood. One of my favorites was a simple olive strapless dress that flared at the hemline. A piece of wood was fitted like a glove across the collarbones and over one shoulder. Perfection. With a color story of earthy browns, light greens and pale blues, the collection looked like it was exactly an urban forest come to life. Another one of my favorites was an orange and beige dress. The beige part looked fitted and structured while the orange part flowed gently over it. My absolute favorite dress of the entire collection was a blue, floor-length gown. There was a fitted layer over which panels of blue chiffon threaded through the wood flowed and gathered beautifully. When the model turned around, there were two large pieces of wood, as straps, going down the length of her back.

Where do I start? First, the contrast of the pale blue against the dark wood was perfection. Then, the relationship between the wood and the fabric, the way they shared elements of each other without competing, was flawless.


Rarely did I see a collection that made me want to see more and more and more. Toni Francesc did. I am virtually giving him a standing ovation. I went to his website to drink more of the Toni Francesc juice and I loved everything. He is now on my list of favorite designers. Check out the goodness at www.tonifrancesc.com.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.