Lee Paton launches SS16 Ready-To-Wear Collection: “La Dame En Noir” Lee Paton is a British luxury fashion label based between London and Paris, founded in 2010 by the London-based designer. Following on from the launch of Lee Paton’s first Ready-To-Wear collection “For Elizabeth” for AW15 this season sees the launch of “La Dame En Noir” for SS16. In complete contrast to AW15 the SS16 collection is Black tie inspired tailoring in ultra soft silks scattered with delicate hand embroideries, flowing chiffons are weighted with encrusted beadwork, plush fur is draped across skirts and oversized bows add to the drama. The inspiration behind the collection came from a trip to Asia where Paton encountered a woman on Pontocho-Dori, a traditional and atmospheric narrow lane in Kyoto. A quiet, elegant woman who despite her mystery and allure and hiding in the crowd; she could not help but stand out. Like André Breton’s obsession after encountering the leading lady in his 1928 novel, “Nadja”. Who the woman was could only be left to the imagination and from that came SS16 “La Dame En Noir”. A collection inspired by the shadows cast by the night time blanket and an encounter with the woman wearing it. Exotic sartorial hints of Asia join the classic house style this season with bespoke hand finishing. The collection includes three-dimensional florals inspired by a midnight garden with hints of cherry blossoms as if glimpsed under moonlight. Like the dreamy melting flowers in Nick Knight’s “Flora”, the collection stems from a dark palette but is executed with a romantic and feminine edge. La Dame En Noir takes you on a journey through hidden alleys where one stumbles across a beautiful stranger - she is influenced by her travels but her origin and destination are unknown, she gives nothing away. The mystery of her elegant silhouette is all that remains.