As a new, ’80s-inspired silhouette emerges, are women finally getting the dress of their dreams?
IT STARTED WITH an Instagram image. While browsing through my discover feed I chanced upon an image of a dress that defied categorisation. Like one of those ’80s party dresses that were at once girlish and alluring, the high collar, puffed sleeve and longer length were a nod to modest fashion mashed up with a prairie-style dress — but there was something more there. This dress was fun and brought a fresh feeling of excitement, invoking a certain sense of wistful nostalgia, but also devil-may-care boldness in its purposeful modesty. Devoid of sex appeal in the traditional sense — this was a dress for a woman, designed by a woman. The man-repeller of dresses if you will. And it showed.
I discovered that the particular dress was designed by New York-based Batsheva Hay, who was a finalist of the Vogue and CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Fashion Fund in 2018. Under her Batsheva line, which retails both on her online store and on matchesfashion.com, she does custom designs as well, mining vintage fabrics and even craft material to whip up her whimsical creations. As a foil to their girlishness, Hay often styles the dresses with tough, lace-up boots or even sneakers. I was hooked and, several Instagram DMs later, had ordered one in holographic lilac lamé. (Hay sells many dresses on social media and the transaction is surprisingly easy.) This was a dress you either loved or hated: there was no in between.
This story is from the March 2019 edition of T Singapore: The New York Times Style Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2019 edition of T Singapore: The New York Times Style Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Look At Us
As public memorials face a public reckoning, there’s still too little thought paid to how women are represented — as bodies and as selves.
Two New Jewellery Collections Find Their Inspiration In The Human Anatomy
Two new jewellery collections find their inspiration in the human anatomy.
She For She
We speak to three women in Singapore who are trying to improve the lives of women — and all other gender identities — through their work.
Over The Rainbow
How the bright colours and lively prints created by illustrator Donald Robertson brought the latest Weekend Max Mara Flutterflies capsule collection to life.
What Is Love?
The artist Hank Willis Thomas discusses his partnership with the Japanese fashion label Sacai and the idea of fashion in the context of the art world.
The Luxury Hotel For New Mums
Singapore’s first luxury confinement facility, Kai Suites, aims to provide much more than plush beds and 24-hour infant care: It wants to help mothers with their mental and emotional wellbeing as well.
Who Gets To Eat?
As recent food movements have focused on buying local or organic, a deeper and different conversation is happening among America’s food activists: one that demands not just better meals for everyone but a dismantling of the structures that have failed to nourish us all along.
Reimagining The Future Of Fashion
What do women want from their clothes and accessories, and does luxury still have a place in this post-pandemic era? The iconic designer Alber Elbaz thinks he has the answers with his new label, AZ Factory.
A Holiday At Home
Once seen as the less exciting alternative to an exotic destination holiday, the staycation takes on new importance.
All Dressed Up, Nowhere To Go
Chinese supermodel He Sui talks about the unseen pressures of being an international star, being a trailblazer for East Asian models in the fashion world, and why, at the end of the day, she is content with being known as just a regular girl from Wenzhou.
