NYFW: Tadashi Shoji Fall 2016 – Sexy Style Inspired by Tribal Prints

A look at the garments from the opening of Tadashi Shoji’s Fall 2016 collection–an edgy, sexy look from the designer featuring ‘tribal influences.”

Designer Tadashi Shoji offered a few surprises yesterday on the runway at New York Fashion Week. Mr. Shoji has long been synonymous with old Hollywood style glamour with his beautiful gowns and cocktail dresses.  For Fall 2016 he departed from his more traditional style showing tribal influences via life prints on bodysuits, jumpsuits and mini dresses.  The show opened with a model coming down the runway in a brown leaf printed body stocking  (see picture upper left) with a black wrap mini skirt over it.  The opening set the tone for an edgier, and straight on sexy collection from the designer.   There were jumpsuits and thigh high slit little black dresses with the same brown print leaf tribal print added added to the bodice  and side panels for contrast.

A study in contrasts: A trademark Tadashi Shoji little black dress alongside a tribal print body stocking and oversized fur.

The collection also featured plenty of Mr. Shoji’s trademark looks with red carpet worth long gowns,  lace overlay illusion dresses and even long trains.  But there were also body stockings along with oversized fur coats that looked more like Kim Kardashian’s recent stylings than Mr. Shoji’s work.  Completing the look was dark, goth styled make-up on the models and wet look styled hair.  It was a dramatic change from the upscale sleek chignons and  red lips on the models from previous Tadashi Shoji shows. Of course, sending a few surprises down the runway to spark conversation and create buzz is part of the New York Fashion Week marketing strategy for most designers–who can forget Milly’s granny panties a few seasons ago?

More traditional Tadashi Shoji looks for Fall 2016 included red carpet worthy black illusion gowns.