Rudsak - fall/winter 2007
While Rudsak may have been one of the first Quebec designers to make leather coats trendy and urban, the label doesn’t innovate much with their fall/winter 2007 line, though this may just be good business.
What seems like repetition may simply be Rudsak narrowing down and focusing on what they do best, in light of stiff competition in the Canadian outerwear market, not to mention the rising stars all trying to nail the trend factor just right.
Having Canadian musicians Chantal Kreviazuk and husband Raine Maida as the new faces of Rudsak certainly doesn’t hurt in achieving this.
The pared-down collection scores with chilly-chic in both sharp and round cuts. Wool coats for women are cozy and concise little creations in plum and winter grey, many of them with unfurling collars and other neck details. Waists are back this season, and the women’s trench coats have elegant, high ones. For men, the wool coats have a rigid straight cut somewhat devoid of typical Rudsak character.
The leather doesn’t disappoint. Some of the coat options for women, particularly the eggplant numbers, are actually hybrid pieces with wool sleeves that can dress any femme fatale for the 21st century. For men, Rudsak has dropped the rebel look and instead has wisely focused on the urban slickster that they do so well.
The parkas are the highlight of the collection, in large part because the puff-factor is kept in check, and any boxiness is erased by triangular shapes.
Daniel Cox, Fashion Editor
Marek Wlazlo, Photographer
