Coming from the words of designer Jay Godfrey himself, “sensual” and “architectural” are the two terms that would best describe the spring-summer 2016 collection. As an artist, one might say that the goal for a piece of art must always involve some act of transmission. This collection is Godfrey’s work of art and it enabled him to transmit elegance and character through his all-white designs.

As a common factor, white being the most obvious one, all of the pieces had some characteristic element – whether in the cuts of the long, silky dresses or the open back of a more straight-cut short dress – that altered their simplicity into something of a level beyond. With the help of a “wet hair” look and big, round metallic sunglasses, the collection conveyed a feeling of freshness and class ideal for any woman’s summer wardrobe.

Class, however, in a sense that can be applied to the modern twenty first century woman. With soft fabrics and the idea of a “sexy classy.” With just a few strapless designs (one jumpsuit and a dress), Jay Godfrey’s effect of sensuality is distinctive in that it consists of what would be small, “unexpected” openings in different parts of the pieces. The crepe sheath dress with a triangle cutout and the asymmetrical cutout top with pleated crepe culottes being just a few of the many examples.
Godfrey truly evolves the maxi, midi, mini and jumpsuit styles into particular pieces that both enhance the silhouette and transmit femininity. From a sleeveless silk coat to some matching flare pants; from a bell sleeve crepe cocktail dress to a flouncy skirt, his designs inspire movement and empowerment while never losing that architectural, geometric strength. The collection’s use of tweed, leather, pyramid style lines and waterfall backs were just another small yet critical contribution to the success behind the beauty of the Jay Godfrey spring summer 2016 collection as a whole.

Fernanda Esquivel is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].