The recent unpredictability of the seasons made Véronique Leroy’s proposition for spring all the more appealing. Where else might one find a crushed velvet swimsuit that doubles as an elegant body alongside a balloon-shaped cropped rain jacket with an outsized hood, all in one place? Leroy used her distinctive hand to create a wardrobe of multitaskers in a range of largely natural shades, from cream and brown to burnt orange and dusty pink. Her silhouettes were alternately wide, ballooning around the shoulders for instance, or super-slinky, making for quirky contrasts.
Gaberdine pants had adjustable waistlines that meant they could be worn high up for a structured silhouette or low on the hips for a baggy, more casual look.
In sporty cream jersey, she padded the hems and oval-shaped necklines of a dress, cardigan and crop top, exaggerating their shape and giving them a two-dimensional effect akin to what has been seen on several runways this season. A special denim finish created the almost fluorescent effect of fresh rust on a zip-fronted apron skirt and cap-sleeved bodysuit.
In lightweight contrast, delicate mesh-like knits were gathered with a wide band of elastic to create full skirts and a sleeveless top gathered at the neck. There was also an evocation of bobbly tweed in a lightweight semitransparent fabric, used to create a shorts suit with a sailor collar that featured on several of the designs.
Among the pieces that doubled up as swimwear, standouts included a quirky take on a twinset created from two different bikini tops, with high-necked briefs to match.
To accessorize the look, Leroy played with 3D printing for the first time, creating outsized wavy earrings with the look of white ceramic or in black, printed using wood fibers.