Tory Burch goes back to her roots at New York Fashion Week

For autumn/winter2019, Tory Burch provided light but head-turning looks for the executive women she serves.Vanessa Kirby and Zoe Saldana chose CEO-worthy trouser suits for the front row but on the catwalk Burch???s grown-up navy suiting broke out of the box.A navy pin-striped trouser suit came with a clown-sized but surprisingly workable frilled and layered collar.Lightweight white skirts broke up potentially severe silhouettes.With less drama for every-day dressing, a cream, motif-decorated shirt looked smart skimming un-tucked over a pleated patterned skirt.The shirt???s raw-edged motifs were inspired by the work of fabric weaving and cutting artist Anni Albers.

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In her show notes, Burch claimed inspiration from this mid- 20th century art educator from Black Mountain College, the now defunct university in Asheville, North Carolina.Black Mountain was founded on the principle that students needed to study creative arts in depth to gain a full understanding of all liberal arts, turning out Modern art legends Cy Twombly, Robert Rauschenberg and many others.

Modern Art is a cornerstone of the Tory Burch brand colour and print-wise.For autumn the designer utilized a mid- 20th century colour palette of browns, reds and yellows in heavy wool or mish-mashed crepe and silk prints.Black and white made strong base colours, occasionally sprinkled with wall-paperish florals.Styled with patchwork leather boots and clunky cut glass jewelry, long printed dresses with skinny cinched-in belts felt modern despite wobbling close to boho.Signature Tory Burch patterned buttons and snaps featured on knitwear and lean, simple woolen coats.Stand-out outerwear included the designer???s ever-present pea coat and New England in the Fall-worthy knits.

Burch is one of several designers sourcing from their fashion beginnings this season.Tom Ford told us that looking away from his gut instincts for inspiration had been a past mistake and we sensed this feeling at Tory Burch.In particular, a navy sequined gown styled over a deep cayenne crepe shirt was reminiscent of Burch???s early days.Female executives swooped on the Elizabeth Street store she opened in 2004 and cleaned out the orange, emerald green and navy separates as soon as new deliveries dropped.What Tory Burch offered her customers back then and what remains so appealing today is the opportunity to present a confident, colourful point of view.