Some of my favorite collections from the past two days have quite a few things in common: they involve shine of some kind, they have lovely gowns, and they all channel the 1930s and/or the 1970s on some level.
First is Donna Karan. Her collection for Spring 2011 is feminine and elegant but a little bit grungy. I thought it was a more unique take on spring than what I had been seeing from most designers. Ruffles are usually a spring staple, but wrinkles? Now that’s innovative. It takes a real fashionista to pull off the look, as well. I also thought it was a nice change that Karan decided to use tones of beige and khaki for her collection instead of white on white on white which so many designers have done for spring.
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/spring/main/newyork/womenrunw…
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/spring/main/newyork/womenrunw…
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/spring/main/newyork/womenrunw…
Next up is Badgley Mischka, whose collection looks like a Great Gatsby party taking place in the 1970s. The collection spans casual wear (short shorts) to gowns but remains cohesive, with a touch of sparkle here and a ruffle there.
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/spring/main/newyork/womenrunw…
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/spring/main/newyork/womenrunw…
Last we have Jenny Packham, a British designer who made her New York debut this week after usually showing in London. She created some beautiful gowns with a modern but ladylike sparkle to them. Some of the dresses even remind me of 1970s and 1980s photographs of stars like Diana Ross and Bianca Jagger. Very glam, but still very now.
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/spring/main/newyork/womenrunw…
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/spring/main/newyork/womenrunw…
Stay tuned for more from New York Fashion Week!