Spring 2011 dress to the New York premiere of Rabbit Hole, and just over a week ago, young Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright did the same at the BAFTAs. These red-carpet moments, said Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro yesterday in a preview, are the fruits of showing on the runway, which they very reluctantly did for the first time after a long absence last season. "When we stopped, the idea of going back was really overwhelming," said Clements. "We thought once we fall into that hole, we'll never get back out again." Added Ribeiro: "Another thing is that the Internet is a major factor. For better or for worse, we're here."
Mostly better, really. Their second appearance on the schedule enjoyed a less tentative attendance than Spring. And the collection, which they named Romance Darkly, evolved and enriched the very chic, long, midi-hem silhouette (this time lengthened further by stacked wooden platforms from Charlotte Olympia) that they began to explore last season. "We don't want to mess too much with cuts," said Ribeiro. "We are fabric and texture people."