In this age of throwaway fashion, Belgian designer Sofie d’Hoore’s creations are anything but. Maybe that's why we're obsessed—and on fire to give you a first look at her 2013 spring/summer collection.
Hers is an unlikely story: d'Hoore trained as a dentist (her father is a doctor) but segued into fashion after realizing she was more interested in clothing design; she went on to study textile engineering in Ghent and entered the Antwerp Academy in 1985. After stints at fashion houses in Milan and in Brussels, she launched her own line in 1992. Her mission? To create comfortable, well-structured clothes with an architectural rigor: she focuses on purity of lines, strict cutting, and fabrics of the highest caliber; it's been said that "she flirts with absolute modernism." She also designs a men's line, but it's impossible to find in the US.
N.B.: The Sofie d'Hoore line is available in the US at MAC Modern Appealing Clothing in San Francisco, Jack Straw in Seattle, Noodle Stories in LA (the line is curiously hard to find in NYC; Blue Tree occasionally has pieces); in the UK, her designs can be found at Egg.
Above: The architect in me goes weak at the knees for narrow pleats and crisp darts.
Above: Life is not whole without a classic shirt dress. Don't be surprised if you see Sarah in this. She already has one in navy.
Above: Our favorite summer dress: d'Hoore's sleeveless style can be dressed up or down depending on the accessories you choose; it's a perfect layering piece that can be worn over T-shirts or under a cardigan or jacket. Professional traveler Heidi Swanson from 101 Cookbooks never goes anywhere without hers; see Heidi Swanson's Travel Kit.
Above: To be filed under "If you have to buy one dress..."
Above: Remodelista's resident DIY video queen Alexa has her eye on this one.
N.B.: Want to learn more about Sofie d'Hoore? See There's Something About Sofie.