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Richard Tyler Fall 2002 Couture Collection
By: Tanya Jensen
Photos by Jennifer Graylock-FWD
Mar 21, 2002/FWD/ --- "Dressing for the Oscars has become something very political,"
Richard Tyler explains to FWD amidst a flurry of activity as dresses were rushed out of
his L.A. boutique to celebs looking for the perfect red carpet regalia.
Politics aside, the merits of donning a Tyler gown are quite clearly cut, so to speak.
"The dresses I designed for the Oscars have a simple silhouette but very elaborate beading
and are cut well," says Tyler, a favorite among dazzling divas.
"It's funny but people call me up all the time and say, 'I have a collection of antique
buttons or beads that you might be interested in' - I get a lot of beautiful things that way."
Tyler's Oscar designs are in a class of their own, though they speak to the same skills and
sensibility that have made the Australian designer famous.
But as his perfectly tailored suits, exquisite eveningwear and simple, sexy bridal line all
ring in at an astounding price point, Tyler has decided to launch a more moderately priced
line - called Tyler - to reach a larger audience.
"After Sept 11th I realized that people don't want to pay that much for beautiful clothes,
and they shouldn't have to," says the designer, whose operations are based in his downtown
Manhattan home/studio.
"Tyler will have the same tailoring and cuts but be much more affordable."
Tyler will launch on April 12th during L.A. fashion week. It contains sportswear-driven
fabrics with Tyler's sophisticated cut: Think lots of denims and twills in subtle colors.
The lower price concept is also extending to the bridal line. "When I come to New York for
the bridal shows, six of the gowns will be around $2000, much less than the other gowns.
I wanted the bridal to be more accessible to people, yet still made with the same attention
and great detailing such as quilting and stitching," Tyler tells FWD.
Tyler's talents are something of a family trait. His mother, a couturier, taught him
to sew at age five. Now his own son, Sheridan Tyler, has started a line that is already
being sold at Fred Segal.
Are there similarities between the two Tylers?
"We both concentrate on the tailoring and the cut," says Sheridan's beaming father.
"I think his designs are more similar to Tyler, the new line. I am really proud of him."
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