making waves

I don't think I'll ever figure out the reasons for my frequent reflections on English craftsmen/women. Perhaps there's an undisclosed Brit in my conscience that I've yet to discover. Or, maybe I'm suffering aftershocks from one recent episode in the British airwaves. Regardless, it's not the same old Central Saint Martin's ingenue making their world debut that I've stumbled upon this time, but a rather a dropout. To save gasps of shock or utter disappointment, I'll just say that Edeline Lee's departure from CSM did not stifle her progress as a designer in the least bit. In taking a brief break from her studies and leaving for New York in pursuit of a creative director standing at Zac Posen, Lee continued to sharpen her already refined skill set. After all, she had apprenticeships with the now-jilted  John Galliano and late Alexander McQueen under her belt. Not bad for achieving the trifecta: designer, entrepreneur, mother.  

photo cred: edeline lee

In an supersaturated realm of designers banking on generic silhouette, Lee resorts to the value of lines and quality. This means bold geometric lines, panels, and patchwork spun into raw silks that rather than chop up the body, accentuate it and stamp the designer's juxtaposed aesthetic of classicism and modernity. An ironic statement, but an effective one. All the more refreshing is the fact that the London-based Canadian's Fall 2012 season is her first as sole director of her brand, cementing her status as an accomplished craftswoman after a momentary career hiatus. One to watch.