From the runway to yoga mats

Collective Edit

NEW YORK-BASED DESIGNER Vivienne Tam always knows how to meticulously and vivaciously incorporate intensely flamboyant colours with exquisite bold patterns, reaching out to women who want to convey a clear statement of sophistication. Tam’s designs are eye-catching and stunning. She includes elements from her Chinese heritage which is her source of inspiration. Tam’s traditional touch transforms into modern beauty.

Frazer Harrison/Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week/Getty Images

During New York Fashion Week, Tam introduced her spring–summer 2012 collection, emerging beautifully on the runway. The new season’s inspiration is derived from a zen garden’s natural aspects. There were wonderfully chaotic and simple prints that evoked fascinating, artistic images. Each piece was a divine sight, with flowing, fresh and beautiful design. As always, the audience was in for a spectacular treat as soon as the first look took centre-stage.

Intense colours and detailed designs reminded the audience of nature’s beauty found in the depths of a zen garden. Dresses portrayed a comfortable look, and highlighted their extremely feminine appeal. The long-sleeved, cape-like dresses were a lovely, enchanting way to close the show.

Tam’s collection is not only about chic dresses and tops accompanied by charming skirts, pants or shorts. She also reaches out to a more active and athletic crowd in her first yoga wear collection.

While still sticking to sophistication and fine beauty, we move from a zen garden to a zen ambiance. ‘I really want to make the yoga clothes very fashionable and at the same time very practical,’ explained Tam.

A number of high-end designers have worked side-by-side with sportswear brands, including Emporio Armani for Reebok and Yohji Yamamoto for Adidas. Recently, Tam has partnered with leading sports brand Li-Ning, an athletic company named after its founder, a former Chinese Olympic gymnast. The collection’s logo is an om sign with mounting layers, creating a ripple-like effect that is said to symbolize ‘the ripples of sound.’ The symbol also induces a harmonious element.

Tam is a long-time yoga practitioner, so it is no wonder she would reach out to other yogis by creating a collection that would allow the wearer to comfortably move while still looking great, in an eco-friendly, efficient way. Tam’s collection of yoga wear features vivid colours, wonderful fabrics and a refined appeal.

On September 13, 2011, spectators gathered in the open air at Barclays Capital Grove in Lincoln Center, a walk away from the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tent, where Tam hosted a show in the form of a live sculpture garden. A group of 20 female yogis, wearing Li-Ning x Vivienne Tam pieces from head to toe, performed various yoga postures as they were guided and led by two internationally renowned instructors. The two choreographers and famous yoga experts, Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee, put together a graceful and pleasant 20-minute performance, transforming the stressful atmosphere that lingered in the air into a tranquil environment. It was a highly calm and peaceful experience. The word om was chanted and the resonating vibe of each syllable lingered amongst the trees and between the vast crowds who stood in awe, watching the performers stretch as they became one with their mind, body and spirit. The fabrics provided a very colourful setting with shades of purples, pinks, fuchsias and light blues. The 20-piece collection created from high-quality material made of Chinese hemp includes pants, sports bras, tank tops, T-shirts, shorts, yoga bags and mats.

The show provided spectators with an example of how the collection could be worn and to what extent it provides the wearer a stylish, feminine feel. The collection is not only elegant and visually appealing but the pieces comprise certain important factors necessary for athletes, including deodorization and UV protection. •

The two choreographers and famous yoga experts, Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee, put together a graceful and pleasant 20-minute performance, transforming the stressful atmosphere that lingered in the air into a tranquil environment

Lola Saab is Paris editor of Lucire.

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