Ahhh...femme!

Thank God for Culte Femme. For bringing hope to the local RTW scene. For kitsch-ing down the trend lane and still coming up smelling like the freshest roses. For launching a new spring/summer collection and not just coming up with China-produced designer knock-offs, rather pieces that you’ll love and actually feel proud wearing.

Since its inception a couple of years ago, Culte Femme has been giving the seriously style-starved real possibilities. Designer Hindy Tantoco’s third summer collection is another pool to dive into: a series of trend waves, starting with preppy florals for March and April and then sauntering into the surfin’ safari scene come May. If you don’t drown in toe-length dresses in slinky jersey knit or flowing chiffon and satin paisley-print pants (a piece Hindy has claimed fondness for), you’ll be able to fish out the collection’s other must-haves: a vintage-inspired summer dress, satin bubble tops, and jersey knit harem pants that double into a one-piece tube jumpsuit.

But summer’s biggest draw for Culte Femme is still the classic printed tee: a nostalgic trip into those days when parents insisted on curfews, your backyard garden doubled as your dance floor, and the main objective of every night-out was – really – to chill out with your girl friends, and not attract testosterone. Quirky and laidback, the signature Culte Femme printed tee gives a taste of Hindy’s intended aesthetic for the brand: part-boho, part-glam, part-preppy, chic and whimsical all-over. Worn with eyelet shorts for a beach romp, or drainpipes for a bar hop, the tee is a statement that zones in on the "fun" in fundamental. Essentially what Culte Femme is stressing this season.

Enthuses Hindy, "It’s time to unbutton last season’s Edwardian blouse. Loosen up. Get some sunshine. Have some fun. Uncross your legs. Walk barefoot or on a wedge. Feel the love." Thank God for Culte Femme.

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