Peter Som Mercedes Benz Fashion Week The Tents at Bryant Park February 7, 2007 mercedesbenzfashionweek.com Written by Bob Bland Photographed by Jose S. Vibar

The infectious Spring 2007 collection of Peter Som was a shining beacon in fashion last fall. Delightfully well put together with strong, consistent themes, it represented all the promise of this talented designer. I was disappointed then to find that Som’s Fall 2007 collection was as fractured and underwhelming as many of his peers. Elements of the collection (a heavily used orchid petal print, his fresh color palette) were strong, but there were many conflicting design elements in each look, and the majority failed to make a statement. Highlights included a sweet grey sweater dress, a luxurious fox fur chubby and a beautifully cut, bow-embellished crepe cocktail dress.

There is a chance that Som might be trying to move away from his usual client base of pretty girls in pretty dresses, but going darker and edgier with layered daywear looks does not play to his strengths.

Key Colors: fuchsia, lime chartreuse, navy, black, bright white, oyster grey.

Key Fabrics: silk voile, silk faille, wool crepe, lame.

Key Details: mixture of drop-waist and waist-defining styles, lots of volume through darts and pleats, skinny pegged pants and shaped bustier tops.

Peter Som

For more information about Peter Som, log onto:petersom.com