Treatment: Truly Vintage-Inspired
With a decidedly feminine design sensibility and a flair for vintage prints, Testament founder and designer Terry Perlman brings a casual-chic assortment of tops and dresses to the contemporary marketplace. Appealing to a broad range of customers, the label is stocked at popular retailers including Ron Herman, Planet Blue, Lisa Kline, Olive and Bette’s, Atrium, Anthropologie, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.
Since the 2006 launch of the line, Perlman’s designs have ranged from Supima cotton basics mixed with lace and silks to patterned burnout jersey fabrications. For upcoming seasons, the line is focusing on eco-friendly organic blends using hemp, bamboo and lyocell.
“Overall, the line draws most of its inspiration from both the sophisticated beauty of the 17th-century Baroque period and the lighthearted quirkiness of the retro ’50s and ’60s,” Perlman said. “By pulling from vintage wallpapers and garments and reworking them into familiar and wearable bodies and silhouettes, Testament is able to create a line that is uniquely original.”
The upcoming Fall 2008 collection marks the expansion of the line from novelty tees to burnout velour hoodies, cashmere sweaters and printed-silk blouses. Drawing inspiration from the Byzantine and Romanesque periods, the Fall collection showcases hammered-bronze trims and suede appliqueacute;s in a rich palette of carmine, cerise and cobalt, among other hues. In addition to the signature vintageinspired patterns, the collection also boasts an assortment of striped fabrics in both neutral and vibrant colors. Perlman also notes that the silhouettes in the new collection are “less blousey,” with more of an emphasis on being sporty. “Think fashionable ’easy tees’ that you can simply throw on with no fuss, whether it be with jeans, trousers or a skirt,” she explained.
Wholesale prices for the line range from $34 to $75. With the exception of the silk fabrications and cashmere sweaters, which are made overseas, the line is primarily produced in the United States.
For more information, contact the Work in Progress showroom at (213) 627-8851. —D.S.
