Click on image for more looks from J Song F/W 2014.

J Song’s fall 2014 runway show, entitled “Shirts’ Tale,” encompassed just that; the majority of the looks had some form of a shirt.

When asked why she featured this centerpiece of her collection, J Song designer, Way Zen said, “I was inspired by the flexibility of the shirt.  This simple garment is both beautiful and functional.”  Zen’s shirts were mostly tunics worn with either trousers or flowing long skirts.  One particularly bold look featured a bright red, high-low, button-down tunic over metallic gold pants.  This color combination was by far the strongest in the collection.

J Song’s pieces are known for their signature details and feminine silhouettes, and the Fall 2014 collection did not disappoint in these areas.  There were ultra-feminine high waists, and details galore.  Some particularly standout looks were sequined skirts, embroidered jackets and dresses and lace shirts and shorts.  The most intricately detailed and impressive look in the collection, however, was a sleeveless, embroidered, black and white dress that Zen referred to as having a “3D quality.”

While the Fall 2014 collection was just as detailed as all of J Song’s past collections, Zen seems to have traded the Eastern influences that usually define J Song, for a far more trendy look, losing the “beauty and harmony” that Zen says she strives to express through her line.  Adding rather passé trends like high-low shirts, leather pants and sequined sleeves to her pieces seemed to weaken Zen’s collection.  In the future Zen should return to the mélange of eastern and western influences that make J Song unique.

Rosie Holden Vacanti Gilroy is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].