Elie Tahari (Q3002)
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Elie Tahari is a fashion house from FMD.
| Language | Label | Description | Also known as |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Elie Tahari |
Elie Tahari is a fashion house from FMD. |
Statements
1974
founder
Elie Tahari gives a woman dependable wardrobe basics. Since the brand’s inception, it has mostly catered to the boardroom, the cubicle, and maybe a drink or two after the 9-to-5 has ended. There will always be a no-fail skirt, a blazer, and some incarnation of a floral-print blouse. All three of those things were present in this collection. What Tahari is doing differently this season is using vegan leather. It feels like a modern move for the label. The material was crafted into boyish safari shirts and high-waisted skirts for a slick, polished effect.Something else that stood out this was outerwear. One highlight was a butter-soft shearling jacket in a cream hue. It added an air of freshness to a relatively corporate-minded collection. Elsewhere Tahari used animal print for statement pieces that included a sharply tailored leopard-print pony-hair jacket. Maybe it wasn’t vegan leather, but there was a delicious, mean-looking embossed python-leather jacket that could elevate even the most tired office ensemble.
4 February 2020
Women go to Elie Tahari for a no-frills suit and professionalwear. For years, the label has provided wardrobe solutions for the office grind. It also provides solid basics. But Tahari does know how to loosen up. He arrived in New York City from Israel in 1971, with—legend has it—only $100. Now, with plenty more than that in his pocket, he revived the ’70s vibes for his Spring 2020 collection.As with all things retro, the approach worked best when it wasn’t so literal, but more of a wink. The print dresses felt too try-hard. But more structured ensembles with a hint of remix, like the classic trench with a cheetah-print collar, looked cool. Elsewhere his familiar suiting got a chilled-out makeover. A camel-hued suit was cut with just one button at the navel, giving it a hot, slightly flared-out waist. Though the look’s accessory, a polka-dot bucket hat, probably won’t meet corporate dress codes, it was a cheeky touch that showed Tahari still knows how to have fun.
5 September 2019
Yves Saint Laurent muse Betty Catroux was the jumping-off point this season at Elie Tahari. The Moroccan tiles from the travels of Saint Laurent and Catroux were translated into prints on dresses and charming pant and trouser sets. Though these clothes aren’t breaking new ground a la Catroux, the label, often reserved for professional women, is skewing younger with animal prints and new pant silhouettes. Tahari even introduced cargo pants. The casual, utilitarian shape was rendered in a black satin drawstring version and a faux leather incarnation, the types of pieces that could easily transition from the office to a post-work dinner. Simple staples worked best. They allow women to mix and match, dress them up or down: Two examples were a black croc-embossed jacket with a boyish shape and a black sweater with artfully narrowed sleeves and a slice cutout at the collarbone.While the reptile- and leopard-print dresses served their purpose—a funky take on the standard nine-to-five garb—the animal print was best used when it was more subtle, like in a deep blue patchworked leopard print accordion pleat skirt. It should work across Tahari’s customer base, from established to new.
7 June 2019
Elie Tahari cited the ’70s, naming standard references like Bianca Jagger and Lauren Bacall. “It’s about confidence, attitude, and independence,” said Tahari backstage. Some of his Fall pieces did evoke those words, especially the bold animal-print looks like a fat-collared leopard-print blouse and a rich chocolate snakeskin-embossed trenchcoat. These weren’t groundbreaking getups, they were classics with a jolt. Other chic standouts included an oversize zip-up cream poncho with black leather trimming that hung coolly on the body.Those looking for Tahari’s 9-to-5 staples would find their options more limited, including a belted blue floral-print dress with puffed sleeves that felt too busy. Safe bets were the black pussy-bow dress and the sharply tailored leather blazer.Tahari also took some literal inspiration from the ’70s. He had Christie Brinkley, the bombshell model of that era, close the show in an emerald blazer and matching body-hugging flares. Also on the runway was her 20-year-old daughter, Sailor, who sported a large black shearling coat. There’s no telling if either of these women wears Tahari’s clothes in their day-to-day lives, but they both looked great, suggesting that the label may be gaining some multigenerational edge.
7 February 2019
Elie Tahari felt younger, lighter, and fresher this season. This new direction was best expressed by a shorts suit—an unorthodox office look that worked for a few reasons. First, the casualness of the shorts were offset by their high waist, and elevated thanks to an embedded belt with a shiny hardware buckle. Also, the jacket reached the hem of the shorts. It was a deviation from the past for a label that has been known for a sleek and modest business wardrobe. Another look that was indicative of new life was a denim shirtdress with oversize pockets on the chest. It was professional, but not so boardroom-serious.There was more variation of materials, too—a welcome change. Elie Tahari has been developing its tweed offerings. One standout was a tweed shift dress that came in lively citrus hues of pink, red, yellow, and orange. It was paired with a cropped red matte leather jacket. Like a dark-hued pantsuit, that look still created a serious effect, but was more inviting than usual.Still, the more pared-back looks were strong. One of the best pieces was a cream pantsuit with a polished, long silhouette. The jacket reached slightly past the hips and had an exposed dart that traced the dip in the waist, smartly compacting and cinching the body. It was a closet staple that still had a young customer in mind as well a longtime buyer of Elie Tahari. Ultimately, this collection was a step forward for the brand.
6 September 2018
Elie Tahari has built a business on suiting, though in addition to the typical corporate attire, the label often delivers remixed versions of the classic office look. Take the optic white robe blazer with cropped bell sleeves and a sleek tailored pant: The more relaxed translation of the straight-laced suit was 9-to-5 appropriate, yet could be worn to cocktails, too. Another good example of creative liberties was a pinstripe blazer with forearm sleeve slits. In the dress offering, a floral print style was a bit busy, but a denim dress with circular lace cut-outs stood out.The label has begun to focus on introducing more materials like denim and tweed. A nice weekend look was composed of soft-to-the-touch white denim flares with a jacket that had silver embroidery on the collar.
7 June 2018
Elie Taharihas built his business on sleek, not-too-trendy clothes for working women, which is all to say there’s a lot of black. Some New Yorkers only wear black, and it’s always a safe bet when you’re shopping for an event or a big interview. But it’s made his collections feel a bit serious and one-dimensional in the past. That’s why it was a surprise to find emerald green velvet joggers and a gold velvet bomber in his Resort lineup; they may not be office appropriate, but they’ll open the brand up to a new, more forward-thinking customer.Tahari also channeled a youthful, party-going vibe with his super-embellished looks. Don’t forget: Resort ships just before the holidays, and that’s likely the only time you could get away with his silver-beaded sheer blouse with lace insets, bell sleeves, and extralong fringe. The collection could have used a bit of editing; “more is more” worked for a few seasons, but some of the embellishments here appeared heavy-handed. A printed lace tank with thick fringe and sheer paneling also had a lot going on, especially styled with black joggers. More successful were the looks that exhibited some restraint, like a charcoal sweater with beading and fringe details, which you could dress up or wear with jeans. If you’re going to make a statement, do it with outerwear; a dégradé leopard coat had the makings of a future heirloom.
17 June 2016
The Victorian mood that’s brought frilly shirts and velvet jackets back in style shows no signs of slowing down.Elie Tahari, a designer best known for sleek, work-ready separates, embraced the trend for Fall without veering too far from his signatures. His main point of departure was texture: Silk velvet, fil coupe, graphic lace, pony hair, shearling, and Lurex lent an opulent vibe that’s typically missing in his collections. “Everything feels rich and ornamental,” he said.An inky-blue velvet suit stood out immediately; layered over a sheer lace blouse, it was romantic and sexy, but a little boyish, too. And there was a lovely floor-sweeping peasant dress in black burnout velvet that would make a relaxed choice for evening. But overall, the collection could have used some more color; it seemed like a missed opportunity not to try all of those luscious velvets in deep jewel tones. How cool and unexpected would it have been for Tahari to show a few different versions of that velvet suit (in emerald, ruby, and turquoise!) instead of a dozen black dresses?
15 February 2016
Elie Taharihas embraced new textures for a few seasons now, and it’s been a successful departure for him. Buttery suede, 3-D lace, and frayed knits have replaced the perforated leather and slick neoprene of seasons past; it’s a shift his customer has welcomed. During a preview in his Bryant Park showroom, Tahari said the “novelty” pieces are the ones that sell best—in other words, the Elie Tahari woman is picking up on fashion’s new maximalist leanings.In fact, there were few pieces you could describe as classic or minimal in his Pre-Fall lineup, which he called “folk modern.” Fluttery lace appliqués were everywhere you looked, from a bomber jacket to a floor-grazing skirt made of three different types of printed lace mashed together. Peasant blouses and tiered chiffon skirts also worked the vaguely Woodstock-in-the-’60s vibe. However, customers who rely on Tahari for office attire will find plenty of crisp trousers here—including of-the-moment culottes—and drapey, double-face coats. They were simple, sure, but would give an instant face-lift to a closet full of sensible blazers.
4 December 2015
Elie Tahari is shifting gears. The designer has opted for a see-now-buy-now model, explaining that women want something when they first see it, not months later. He has a point, and other designers in the industry have been following this method for several years. There was a refreshing light feeling to Tahari’s new collection, which was inspired by the crafts of Bali and Tahiti, including basket weaving and bold floral-printing techniques. The basket weaving was a nice touch, especially on a mossy green jacquard ’60s-style shift dress.Women depend on Elie Tahari for clothes to wear in corporate settings. Those are fairly conservative parameters, but this wasn’t a dull lineup. One standout was a cheerful fuchsia dress with adjustable sleeves that can be pulled up for 9-to-5, then pulled down and worn off the shoulder after dark. It pays to think outside the cubicle.
10 December 2019
The playful, artisanal vibes that trended heavily on the Fall runways are still a big message forSpring ’16, particularly for contemporary brands likeElie Tahari. The designer was thinking about the intersection of “natural and future” this season, so he moved away from the architectural silhouettes he’s known for and embraced an easier, more bohemian sensibility. Billowing chiffon dresses, deconstructed tweed jackets, and loose-fitting trousers in soft shades of taupe, cream, and black felt destined for a trip to the sun-baked desert.New for Tahari was the mix of textures, like a jeweled tank with a raw linen skirt or a suede safari jacket over a ramie dress.Pat Clevelandtook the stage in a twill coat spliced with swaths of lace appliqué; paired with ankle-length pants and gladiator sandals, it was arguably the best outfit. Cleveland always looks sensational, but she embodied Tahari’s ideal woman in that all-white ensemble: It was sharp, sophisticated, and feminine, but with a new sense of warmth.
14 September 2015
The Elie Tahari woman is loosening up. After seasons of architectural, body-con dresses and graphic prints, this Resort collection embraced all things bohemian. From a supple suede jacket trimmed with lace to a handful of asymmetrical skirts flowing away from the hips, the vibe could almost be described as romantic. But far be it for Tahari to go full-on hippie; like all of his collections, this one was still geared toward the working woman. The designer made his lineup office-appropriate by mixing in classics, like a sculptural glazed tweed jacket layered over a fringed skirt, or a cobalt lace dress under a cargo jacket. That contrast will appeal to more conservative shoppers, but one of the best looks was also the most laid-back, consisting of a slouchy gray turtleneck and a black skirt with an unraveling hem. Every woman wants that kind of elevated comfort.Elsewhere, Tahari played with the most relaxed fabric of all: denim. It's not traditionally part of his oeuvre, but his customers—and women everywhere, really—are craving it right now. He put his own spin on jeans with a patchwork skinny (dressed up with an appliquéd sheer top in the lookbook, naturally) and a coated black denim jacket with frayed edges. Tahari could benefit from similar experimentation in the future. This collection felt fresher and more playful than a lot of his recent work.
8 June 2015
Survival. It's a theme that might conjure up images of athletic wear or military-grade parkas, but Elie Tahari imagined it for the polished, upscale woman. "New York is an urban jungle, and a woman needs to know how to survive all the elements," he said with a laugh. The designer doesn't take his references too seriously; all in all, he's out to make reliable clothes that will appeal to his huge customer base, from Susan Sarandon to the cast ofThe Real Housewives of New York, who were all in attendance.While the survivalist mentality could be subtly detected in the clothes—lots of fur and leather in shades of olive, black, gray, and cobalt blue—Tahari's presentation was playfully over-the-top. A spinning zebra in the front window garnered lots of attention from tourists on Fifth Avenue, and inside the models perched on a circular, mossy stage complete with rocks, trees, and ferns. Seated front and center was none other than Carmen Dell'Orefice, who looked spectacular in a pair of skinny leather pants. "She has more energy than all the younger girls!" Tahari said. Eighty-three and having a ball, she made any complaints about the exhausting week seem silly.That kind of spirit is what Tahari gets excited about: He just wants women to feel good in his clothes. That wouldn't be hard to do in the leather jacket with blue shearling lining peeking out, or the emerald green suede fringed skirt. On the other hand, a laser-cut pony-hair jacket felt a little overdesigned, as did the chocolate whipstitched dress. A few looks could have done without the extra layers, too. But for the most part these pieces were cozy, easy to wear, and understated.
18 February 2015
Most designers visit museums to find inspiration in Monets, Pollocks, or Picassos. For Pre-Fall, Elie Tahari was thinking about theoutsideof a museum—specifically, the new Renzo Piano-designed Whitney in downtown Manhattan. "I'm always inspired by architecture, and I like the play of proportions in the building," said Tahari. "I was also thinking about its mixed materials." The concept came through quite literally in a few laser-cut pieces that resembled hundreds of windows on a skyscraper, as well as contrasting fabrics like nylon, leather, coated linen, and neoprene. While much of the fashion community has grown tired of scuba synthetics, Tahari is still very much on board; here, neoprene pencil dresses were featherweight and printed with blurred, Gerhard Richter-esque prints. They looked good, but the designer was most successful when he experimented with exotic skins such as supple suede, fluffy shearling, and lustrous pony hair. He admitted it's "a challenge" to reconcile Pre-Fall's seasonless, buy-now/wear-now demands, but those rich layers helped bridge the gap between leggy minis and cozy knits.
10 December 2014
Elie Tahari's unusual muse for Spring? "A shipwrecked high-tech bohemian." This season the designer channeled a chic castaway by juxtaposing natural materials, which appeared to have been weathered by the elements, with more cutting-edge fabrics. The effect could be surprisingly modern, as exemplified by a washed laser-cut leather jacket paired with a burnout cotton tank and gauzy pareo skirt. Equally persuasive was a coated canvas anorak teamed with relaxed eyelet culottes split up the front. At times, Tahari got a bit too carried away with fringe, which was featured on decorative belts, pencil skirts, and a full-on sheath dress with hand-embroidered leather strips. Elsewhere, he added the occasional welcomed pop of color to the sandy-hued mix with a red suede wrap skirt, as well as a tie-dyed mesh frock that zipped into two pieces. The most-discussed look at the presentation, however, was Tahari's clever take on wearable tech: a sporty LBD covered in iPhones, which captured all the action.
10 September 2014
Elie Tahari often draws inspiration from architecture, and this season he referenced the unique curved lines of a new train terminal in Madrid created by Santiago Calatrava. That served as a jumping-off point for the designer's Resort outing, which emphasized a sculptural aesthetic that was also sensual, as evidenced by the opening neoprene sheath splashed with an abstract brushstroke print. After four decades in business, Tahari has fine-tuned his formula for wearable, work-to-weekend basics with an urban twist. As usual, the latest lineup offered sporty tailored pieces, including a sharp white jacket accented with perforated mesh details on the sides, which paired terrifically with relaxed black culottes. Elsewhere, Tahari focused on longer lengths (found on crinkle-pleated maxi skirts) and styled many of his looks with slip-on sneakers that felt modern.Other highlights included a tough biker jacket cut from a soft, washed leather, as well as an open, unlined suede coat in a vibrant shade of "guava." While Tahari's contemporary customer typically comes to him for pieces to blend into the city landscape, he also knows how to whip up an evening look to get her noticed. Case in point was the finale strapless number that combined a scuba fabric with sheer, flocked mesh and flattering seams. During a preview of the collection, Tahari launched into a story about that dress. His pretty date to the CFDA Awards wore it, and it earned her quite a bit of attention on the walk back home. Stumped by the wave of catcalls, Tahari eventually flagged down a cab to bring them the remainder of the way. Talk about va-va-voom factor.
11 June 2014
Fall found Elie Tahari in top form. The designer, who is celebrating the fortieth anniversary of his namesake label this year, always succeeds in making urban, wearable clothes (not to mention office-appropriate sheaths), but this season felt a bit more in touch with the here and now. The collection's theme was "lightning through the darkness," a notion enhanced by the clear plastic umbrellas covering the walls and ceiling of Tahari's Fifth Avenue flagship for the presentation. In keeping with this after-the-storm mood, the color palette was full of smoky neutrals accented by pops of sky blue and sunset pink. As usual, there was an emphasis on sporty tailoring, but the overall look was more relaxed than in seasons past, which felt current.Chunky, hand-crocheted sweaters and fuzzy mohair pullovers were paired with wool skirts featuring either kicky trumpet shapes or graceful pleating. Other modern proposals included slouchy knit trousers, borrowed-from-the-boyfriend bombers (several of which featured fleecy shearling hoods), and cropped sweaters with built-in shirting details for a cool, layered effect without the fuss. Speaking of layering, outerwear was a clear highlight here. Tahari understands that if there's one item his customer needs this season, it's a statement-making coat to get her through cold months like these. So the lineup offered a range of functional yet fashionable toppers with high points such as a cocoon-ish style cut from bonded tweed, and a standout baby blue number that looked fresh shown with a matching leather biker jacket underneath. Meanwhile, sidewalk-ready accessories like knit beanies, fur trapper hats, and cozy looped scarves added a touch of grit to the mix and underscored the clothes' real-world appeal. Without a doubt, this was a definite step forward for Tahari.
11 February 2014
Amid all of the organic textiles and artisanal elements (tassels, fringe, tapestry embroidery) that have been in play this season, Elie Tahari's clean, sporty lineup felt fresh and different. Referencing Pierre Soulages' bold, graphic paintings, Tahari whipped up athletic-inspired items like lacquered linen parkas, relaxed silk track pants, and a curve-hugging neoprene dress that featured panels of raw-edged tweed and a matte scuba zipper down the front. The designer's new outerwear was sidewalk-ready, with highlights including a crackled white biker jacket as well as a boxy car coat cut from featherweight spongy mesh. His signature sheaths also received the technical treatment and were updated in bonded, laser-cut leather.
10 December 2013
Elie Tahari is celebrating forty years at the helm of his eponymous label, and he's clearly gunning for forty more. Spring was about the future, with Tahari incorporating high-tech materials into his designs and injecting everything with a sporty, modern ease. The seams on the menswear were closed with silicone tape, and laser-cut perforations abounded on the women's looks. Of course, you have to look back to look forward, so Tahari updated a few of his iconic silhouettes—a swing coat, a jumpsuit—and peppered those pieces throughout the collection. Those Edition 1974 items weren't very different from the current offerings—an indication, perhaps, of a strong Tahari DNA—and everything, in both men's and womenswear, shared a casual, relaxed, unstructured vibe. One exception was a pair of zip-front, curve-clinging leather dresses in one of the collection's sole prints and pops of color, a tropical floral mélange and bright turquoise, respectively. They felt like an unnecessary departure from the chill vibe and winning palette of cool blues, black, and pale, icy neutrals that Tahari had established. Fabrics were mixed to good effect: A long sheer blouse in the faintest hint of blue looked great layered under a perforated white leather jacket and paired with white jacquard shorts. That look had just as much sex appeal as the zipper dresses and felt like a future classic, to boot.
9 September 2013
Sometimes the inspiration you're searching for has been right in front of you all along. Such was the case this season for Elie Tahari, who rediscovered a series of photos of Eero Saarinen's TWA Terminal that had been hanging in his office for years. The structure of the once-futuristic flight center provided the blueprint for Tahari's Resort outing, which focused on both linear and curved silhouettes executed in a predominantly black-and-white palette. There were flattering fit-and-flare frocks cut from either lightweight crepe or ultra-thin leather (the latter style had a cool floating seam detail at the hemline), as well as slim stretch jacquard trousers. Layered chiffon tanks and shirtdresses showed off the contour of the body, and a cocoon-shaped jacket with adjustable zippers on each sleeve also added dimensionality to the lineup.Fashion has been on a graphic black-and-white kick for a couple of seasons now, so it was the few pops of color among the office-appropriate staples that felt freshest here. The collection could've benefited from more pieces like the easy silk shift featuring a zesty lime laser-light motif or a cherry-jam-hued biker jacket (which unfortunately didn't make it into the lookbook).
21 May 2013
Elie Tahari set out to evoke "a Siberian winter covering an urban landscape" with his Fall presentation, which featured architectural fabric installations by Gisela Stromeyer that gave the impression of sweeping glaciers and arctic tundra. The set enhanced the collection, which brimmed with impressive outerwear. A cozy shearling shawl coat that spilled open and a cocoon-shaped, double-faced wool topper in a scratchy plaid pattern both seemed like a luxurious step up for the contemporary label. Ditto goes for several pieces accented with leopard-printed ponyhair. By comparison, the daywear separates here weren't as memorable—with the exception of a signature Tahari sheath, which was updated with intricate braided leather. There was a detectable military influence in menswear items like double-breasted peacoat and leather cargo jackets, which were paired with slim, tailored trousers. The new lineup and the throng of people on the sidewalk trying to get a peek inside the presentation suggested that Tahari still knows how to remain relevant.
11 February 2013
Our review will be posted shortly. See the complete collection by clicking the image at left.
11 February 2013
After an ultra-bright Spring season that had us reaching for a pair of sunglasses, Elie Tahari toned things down for pre-fall, showing a concise lineup full of laser-cut leather pieces with sporty neon accents. The designer rendered his signature shift in a variety of fabrics, ranging from a metallic-flecked tweedy jacquard to raw-edged chiffon smattered with sparkly bugle beads. The standout in the dress category was a to-the-knee, flouncy-hem number with a laser-cut patent leather overlay. Separates including second-skin, stretch leather pants and a soft biker jacket that fit like a cardigan rounded out the collection.
2 December 2012
Tired of neons and tropical prints yet? Elie Tahari isn't. The commercial designer stuck by those familiar trends with a Spring presentation intended to channel a lively cocktail party at one of Richard Neutra's Palm Spring residences during the 1950s. A signature sheath in laser-cut lace mixed leopard and palm branch motifs, while lime-colored cropped trousers featured an allover python pattern and contrasting fluoro trim. Tahari's favorite moment was an icy blue cocktail dress embellished with glasslike sequins that were slightly singed around the edges. Paired with strappy python high heels, that number was ready for the dance floor, to be sure. However, Tahari's customer primarily turns to the label for polished everyday staples, which were also included here and ultimately made a more favorable impact than the rest of the bright, busy lineup. An effortless navy silk button-up tucked into slim, tonal leather pants was one of the simplest looks, but it was also the freshest.
12 September 2012
Our review will be posted shortly. See the complete collection by clicking the image at left.
14 August 2012
Among the many, many brands showing at New York fashion week, Tahari is one of the handful that appeals directly to the mainstream consumer. Real women wear it, in their real daily lives. So it was only fitting that this evening's presentation—staged informally at the brand's showroom—used "real women" as models. One was cradling a baby. Several chatted away with each other, sipping Champagne. If you wanted a preview of how these clothes are actually going to be worn, Tahari provided it.As for the clothes themselves, the showroom setting offered proof that the collection on show was but a small representation of the Tahari offering as a whole; racks and racks of additional pieces lined the room. The big theme, onstage and off, was color: Designer Elie Tahari went tonal in a big way, creating color-block, tone-on-tone and painterly variations of tealish blue and green, red and fuchsia, and navy and purple. Throughout, office silhouettes predominated: Trousers were either extra-long and narrow or wide-legged and laced in the back, blouses came with gypsy touches, and jackets, like one in a combination of tweed and brocade, featured a lot of textural variation. Fur and reptile skin abounded. The casual mien of the presentation sometimes made it hard to read these looks for an overarching statement, aside from the big color story, but the women wearing the clothes looked happy to be in them.
14 February 2012
Elie Tahari is reaching out toward a younger crowd for pre-fall. And when Tahari says younger, he means it. At a preview in his Manhattan studio, the designer dubbed his latest lineup Z Tahari, after his 7-year-old daughter Zoe, who is a constant inspiration, but especially this season. Zoe, it turns out, asked her dad to make her a purse using pieces of neon duct tape this summer, and the designer incorporated the idea into this collection. Nearly every shift dress, silk blouse, and skirt came trimmed with fluoro grosgrain ribbon. Another key motif was zippers—"everywhere, up the kazoo," as Tahari put it—which added a practical versatility to many of the pieces. A long pencil skirt cut from stretchy scuba material (and lined in bright purple silk), for example, had a zipper trailing all the way up the leg, so you can adjust the slit to be as conservative or suggestive as desired. One of Tahari's signature sheaths, meanwhile, featured micro zips at the bust seams, so the neckline could be worn at least four different ways—a nice touch for a dress that retails for under $300.Tahari went to town on prints this season, mixing up mirrored hothouse florals with colorful leopard and python patterns. It did seem slightly derivative of other designers who've pushed that look recently (i.e., Givenchy and Giambattista Valli). But overall, the result was refreshing and well thought-out for this contemporary label. "We're known for our classic go-to-work dresses," Tahari said, "but this season I feel like it's a new ball game. Finally, I feel like we're hitting on the kind of 'young luxury' we've been trying to push."
28 November 2011
Entering the Lincoln Center tents' main stage this evening, you got the sense that it's at the Elie Tahari show, and a few others like it, that the real business of fashion happens. Tahari makes commercial clothes, no two ways about it, but he's also smart enough to keep things fresh on the runway.Riffing on early-twentieth-century explorer chic and Egyptian exploration in particular, Tahari kicked off his show with a group of white and sand-toned looks accented with gold trim and accessories. His long, tailored toppers, airy blouses, and gold mesh accessories won't present a challenge to customers; the good-looking harem pants and flapping skirts will probably be a harder sell. The show lost some momentum as it moved into a color story—pales blues, equatorial yellows, and tangerine, plus some hits of teal. That said, there were a few winners here, too, such as a wide, zigzag pleated mid-calf skirt in blue and mottled orange silk pants that tied at the ankle. (The latter will have some takers downtown, too.)And then the momentum picked up again, as the collection faded to black. Tahari sent out some very good geometrically sequined evening looks. The standout was a sequined pencil skirt, topped with a fantastic black sweatshirt that seemed to have been dusted with gold. And he closed the show strong, with a harem pant halter jumpsuit that featured a dramatic capelike back.
13 September 2011
The colors of David Hockney's California paintings—all those cool pool blues—inspired the latest from Elie Tahari's menswear, but this wasn't a collection that Popped. There were plenty of watery tones (punched up with oranges, terra-cotta, and khaki), but the clothes this season were more military in their look and feel than Hockney-style dandy. And they were all the stronger for it. There was a fine balance struck between soldierly shapes (cargo pants and field jackets, desert boots, endless pockets, and zips) and soft, crinkled ease, one that wouldn't be out of place in a more expensive, European collection. It was a surprise—a good one, too.
13 July 2011
For Resort, Elie Tahari is out of the office and into Africa—Marrakech, to be precise. Creative director Kobi Halperin mused that his destination of choice would've been Egypt, but "considering everything that's going on in the Middle East, Morocco was the safer option." Turbans and caftans were a given, and a palette of tangerine, periwinkle, and "fresco" suggested Yves Saint Laurent's fabled Jardin Majorelle, a charming if somewhat overvisited inspiration. There were several breezy evening looks with of-the-moment high slits. One of the cream-colored crepe column dresses was cut asymmetrically with one sleeve, while another had a keyhole neckline with filigreed embroidery. Practical? No. But pretty nonetheless. An oversize tuxedo jacket with a single button closure and a hand-plissé'd parka jacket were more typical Tahari fare.
19 May 2011
Alert the Commander in Chief: There's been a military leak. Thankfully, it's mostly of blankets. The iconic stripe covers favored by the armed forces have been exerting a strong influence on menswear of late. Styles inspired by them turned up at Iceberg, at Tommy Hilfiger, and again this week at Elie Tahari. The label's creative director, Kobi Halperin, at least, has a better claim on the style than most. "I was in the military," he explained during a presentation at the Tahari showroom. "It's nice to be turning a very dusty and unpleasant experience into the beautiful glamour of fashion."Military influence in menswear is nothing new, but here it was managed ably. In a palette of tobacco, charcoal, black, and gray, tailored takes on army gear predominated. Stripe details, often in mixed materials, appeared on vests, work shirts, jackets, and as tuxedo piping on flat-front, slightly tapered pants. Outerwear is one of Tahari's strongest men's categories for sales, and two car coats—one in that dusty tobacco, with a contrast collar, another in black, with contrast leather sleeves—were worth saluting.
15 March 2011
Today's Elie Tahari show, the designer would like you to know, is brought to you by the letter L. "Lots of Ls," he said backstage, when asked for a summation of the season. "L for love, L for luxe, L for luscious, L for layering, leather, lace, leopard, longer lengths."It's also brought to you by the good old letter D—for drama. Tahari's business is predicated on office-ready separates, but he seems to be making a play for the limelight, too. How else to explain the onslaught of oversize floral lace, chiffon bell sleeves, and all the fur that strutted down his runway today? "It's a smart and hot line," Tahari said. Smart is offering a classed-up twist on what he's already known for, in a palette of black, white, taupe, and burgundy: a trench in a smoky ombré leopard print, or a great white suit with long, flared trousers and a razor-sharp little jacket. And hot is Tahari's new chosen temperature. Some of the evening looks he showed read a little bit precious and princess-y, but for the girls upgrading for a night out, perhaps that's even a plus. There's certainly no mistaking those pieces for cubicle casual.
15 February 2011
Eveningwear fromElie Tahari? The go-to guy for elevated, office-appropriate basics has set his sights on the red carpet. For pre-fall, he showed a starlet-worthy tuxedo jumpsuit and a one-shouldered red chiffon dress with delicate ruching all over. Elaborate details permeated the collection. Leather jackets were smocked and braided to the hilt, with shots of lace mixed in, and brief wool shorts had a heavy soutache trim.It wasn't all about the icing on the cake, though. Sharp and simple skirtsuits came in the mid-calf hemline that's all the rage for Spring, while fingerless leather gloves—perfect for iPhone tweeting!—and a glazed tweed shoulder bag with plenty of discreet pockets indicate Tahari still has his eye on practicality.
29 November 2010
Classic American sportswear was on Elie Tahari's mind for Spring, as was its patron saint, Lauren Hutton. He's far from the only designer to be channeling the Gap-Toothed One, but then Tahari has always had a knack for knowing which way the wind is blowing and harnessing it to his advantage. The greatest hits of the all-American seventies got nipped and tucked a bit, but mostly were presented faithfully: Onward came a parade of khaki safari jackets, wide-leg Bermuda shorts, and silky, liquid blouses. (The women may've been on safari, but the men, said Tahari, were "urban utilitarian": Out came light, tonal suiting and slightlyTron-ish tees for the cogs in the machine.) It was all extremely wearable, even if it didn't all jump up and grab you. Still, a surefire fix for the sportswear doldrums showed up in a few opening looks: gilt. The seventies were the disco years, too, and gold lamé (on hot pants or a knife-pleat skirt) livened the mood.
13 September 2010
Elie Tahari's Resort collection took its influence from Andrew Zuckerman's photographs of exotic birds, a body of work that's inspired more fashion than you might expect. Brilliant flashes of color (including chartreuse, one of the season's unlikely color hits), abstract wing-inspired prints, and a dusting of feathers attested to the avian theme, but the birds who buy Tahari gravitate toward its leathers, especially in outerwear. For them, there were hand-quilted jackets, a little moreMatrixthan macaw, and a supple gray trench, both in the skin, plus plenty of slinky little dresses to throw on under them. There was a decided urban bent to the collection, with its liberal sprays of sequins and menswear-inspired separates, but for the Resort-er who resorts, a few beachier print dresses and caftans, too. Apparently, that's what the label's growing international contingent clamors for, and soon they'll have even more places to get it. Tahari is opening its first independent international store in Istanbul in the coming months, followed by Qatar and Seoul.
16 June 2010
"My inspiration was a woman traveling the world in style," Elie Tahari said today, "like Marlene Dietrich inShanghai Express."The Israeli-born designer has built a sizable global brand with his polished, just-trendy-enough separates that work equally well in Dallas or Dubai. Fall's offerings fell nicely in step with his well-established strategy. Business-class customers will be drawn to the black wool military coat, the high-waisted trousers, and an elegant pantsuit with a belted safari jacket. For days off, Tahari turned out a few fur jackets (a trend we've been seeing throughout the week), silk peg-leg pants, and chunky cardigans. Voyager theme notwithstanding, Tahari's not a designer to travel too far off the beaten path, but the retail higher-ups on hand this morning aren't going to complain about that.
15 February 2010
Style.com did not review the Fall 2010 menswear collections. Please enjoy the photos, and stay tuned for our complete coverage of the Spring 2011 collections, including reviews of each show by Tim Blanks.
15 February 2010
Elie Tahari is looking to draw a younger clientele while maintaining his core customer. That's a tricky balance—but one that Tahari and his team pulled off in this pre-fall collection. After an overly trendy Spring show, the designer tweaked his offerings to stay true to the sophistication his brand represents while exploring on-point silhouettes. Pantsuits were draped—not tailored—and paired with slouchy tees and chunky necklaces. There were textured leather leggings, a great-looking sleek taupe suede biker jacket, and a near-perfect T-shirt dress. In short: strong separates a forty- or fiftysomething would wear to look current or a hip twentysomething could incorporate to polish up her wardrobe.
1 December 2009
If you still associate Elie Tahari with well-priced corporate wear, a trip to his boutique might be in order. The designer has worked steadily to offer shoppers on-point (but not overly trendy) wares that work just as well on the boardwalk as in the boardroom. Case in point: Spring's offerings included a chic linen jumpsuit and a great black perforated-leather bomber jacket paired with a simple gray jersey T-shirt dress. Some looks felt a bit fast-fashion-y for the retailer (a ladylike tweed jacket paired with cuffed sweatpants and heels, for example), but things rarely got that contrived. "This collection is all about effortless dressing," Tahari insisted, and he mostly lived up to his words.
9 September 2009
Elie Tahari focused on some of 2009's familiar silhouettes: exaggerated shoulders, harem pants, and—in a deliberate nod to "the Michelle effect"—shift dresses. But the execution favored sophistication over trendiness, and that should satisfy the designer's customers. Pops of fuchsia were balanced by hits of indigo, seen in sexy denim jackets and silk blouses with splashy prints resembling Rorschach tests.
28 May 2009
Elie Tahari can't help but bring a little fun to his designs, and so for Fall even a (relatively) sober tweed jacket and skinny black knit pants were finished off with an embellished obi belt for a wink of shine. You might be headed to the office, the look said, but that doesn't mean you have to be glum.Keen on prints, Tahari showed patterns solo and matched every which way—leopard with floral, cherry blossoms on a checkerboard—but the mix was dashed-off enough to make it work. A pair of dresses with open sleeves at the show's end were fitted from the front and billowy from the back; although this is a Fall collection, they begged to be worn near a pool, with a cocktail, stat.
15 February 2009
Standing under a palm tree in the Pool Room at the Four Seasons restaurant, Elie Tahari talked about why he had chosen Philip Johnson's landmark interior as his venue: "We wanted to practice for a real fashion show," said the designer, who until now has presented his work not on a runway but in a showroom. "Urban Paradise" was the theme, but the collection, so ripe with bold, printed seventies-inspired Copacabana evening looks, was short on the citified daywear suggested by the first half of the title. It felt rather more like Resort than Spring: It's easy to picture bandeau tops, swim briefs, and ankle-tied harem pants at an island retreat, but in an office? Or, for that matter, lunching at the Four Seasons? Not so much. More in keeping with the Tahari tradition of trend- and work-friendly sportswear were a slim, sexy python-patterned skirt and a short, bright minidress (worn by Heidi Verster), both of which are sure to appeal to those Hampton Jitney-riding Manhattanites whom Tahari courts so well.
3 September 2008
To assemble the gallery of prints that were endlessly mixed and matched in his resort collection, Elie Tahari not only mined archives all over Italy but also put his in-house designers to work. With the exception of a few sporty and spare pieces (a navy glove-leather blazer, for one), the mood was dizzingly optimistic, all feminine silhouettes and splashy colors.
14 May 2008
The chunky knit sweater is the new jacket at Elie Tahari this Fall, where it's paired with long, fuller trousers and cinched at the waist, creating a chic, urban silhouette. Menswear looks play off more feminine ones throughout this tightly edited collection, whose standouts include a rabbit-and-fox vest that would look good thrown on with one of the long slim skirts with sinuous curved seams; a fitted, invitingly soft leather jacket with ruffle details; and a purple jersey party dress that would undoubtedly meet with Prince's approval.
30 January 2008
It's been a busy summer for Elie Tahari, who recently celebrated the opening of his boutique on Main Street in East Hampton. With lots of bright ethnic prints and safari looks, his Spring collection ventured into more exotic climes. The longer hemlines were, Tahari says, "inspired by my wife." Standout pieces included suede jackets with knotted details, dresses with cutouts, and a crisp white shirtdress with three-quarter sleeves.
4 September 2007
Calling all latter-day Twiggys, Bardots, and Schneiders… Elie Tahari offered an updated take on mod shapes for Fall. "I was inspired by the sleek industrial designs of the sixties," the designer said. That would explain the sage-green patent trench—quite striking in its shiny geometry—and the updated A-line shifts for work and play. A black-and-white tweed dress with pockets and leather trim had a get-down-to-business feel, while a color-block number layered over a turtleneck and leggings was just right for a Sunday brunch in Soho. Thankfully, Tahari mostly avoided the time-capsule trap; elements of the season—patent, feathers, and active-sportswear touches—were smoothly incorporated into a collection built around a clean sixties silhouette.
31 January 2007