Tory Burch Fall 2014 Collection: Armored and Ready

In the tenth year of her namesake brand, the always-wearable and ever-relatable Tory Burch gives us another collection of staples. She’s also achieved a slice of global domination, what with over a 100 boutiques and an instantly recognizable logo. Luckily, the trademark was nowhere to be found on this runway. Instead, this is a more ornate Tory than we’ve seen before; she’s settled into her brand and become emboldened in her aesthetic.

Exotic elements, like the natural fur messenger bags that double as plush muffs (Tory loves mufflers and designed these to eliminate the need for gloves), loads of silk brocades, and prints inspired by medieval tapestries abound. Actually, Burch looked to her parents’ and grandparents’ own collections of armor (yes, you read that right) for inspiration, and they fascinated. You can see it in the high-shine metal belts, quilted satin turtleneck pullovers, and geometric patterns made with leather tiles – all of which gave way to instant editorial excitement as we looked on.

Knee and thigh-high knit socks were added to the mix to reference Tory’s 1970s youth, and the collection grew from there. Neat pleats, Peter Pan collars, and mini-skirt lengths translated to schoolgirl-chic, but Tory’s Fall 2014 woman is still decidedly grown-up. The feeling came by way of all the decadence, delivered in the form of baroque-style embroidery (some metallic, some matte), big-jewel beading, foil-embossed tapestries, and injections of fur and shearling. Particularly solid are the pleated leather jackets, which strike a fine balance of fitting right into your closet and standing out in a crowd, a chord Tory is proving she is a seasoned expert at striking.