New York Fashion Week
By Raakhee Mirchandani / Fashion Editor New York Daily news
From safari scenes to Caribbean fun, designs have vacation feel
On day 4 of fashion week, designers Donna Karan, Tracy Reese, Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg, Vivienne Tam and more showcased bright prints, bold colors and vacation-worthy dresses.
PHOTO #1: From left to right: Thakoon; Lela Rose; DKNY; Y-3
New York designers had spring break on the brain with Tracy Reese looking to a Cuban holiday, Diane von Furstenberg inspired by safari and Vivienne Tam motivated by modern Shanghai.
For Donna Karan, however, it was clear there’s no place like home. DVF’s oversized African florals, zebra print tunic with wide leg pants and short-sleeve shift complete with a stunning scene of a lion on a savanna were show highlights. The cork-print leather and culottes were cool touches, perfect for the lady heading out on a chic spring jaunt.
PHOTO #2 From left to right: Vivienne Tam; Zac Posen; Joanna Mastroianni
Michelle Obama favorite Tracy Reese, complete with a zippy three-piece Afro-Cuban band, rocked the crop from belly- baring flowy camisoles paired with palazzo pants to half sweaters. Her bread and butter dress, the sleeveless fit and flare (a Mrs. O favorite) got a luxe aqua jacquard treatment. The golf shorts and slouchy trousers, particularly the black and white window-pane print, were begging to be paired with a favorite T-shirt.
For her 25th anniversary, Karan took a trip down memory lane by rethinking standards from the ’80s, set to classic 1980s jams including the Beastie Boys’ “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.”
PHOTO #3 From left to right: Tracy Reese; ThreesASFOUR; Derek Lam
Overalls were shown traditionally, but also rethought as a flowing dress in parachute silk, and bandannas made an appearance as a chic print for swimwear and backpacks. The black-and-white DKNY logo print was bold, brash and so New York. Her genius is keeping it consistently edgy, yet still wearable.
There’s plaid and then there’s Derek Lam plaid, a bold big Buffalo plaid styled. Pajama shirts, a denim wrap coat, a sleeveless quilted dress all seem deceptively simple but after treated to his deft hand become super chic.
PHOTO #4 From left to right: Diane von Furstenberg; Victoria Beckham; Diane von Furstenberg
Inspired by modern Shanghai, Tam showed black-and-white lotus prints from the ’30s as well as sunflowers on cerulean and garland prints.
Lela Rose’s watercolor gowns, particularly the vivid pink strapless dress and green halter gowns, were pure romantic bliss, while Yigal Azrouel admitted that minimalism was his thing this season. Unexpectedly, Azrouel’s use of fabrics made the predictable pieces interesting. We particularly liked the juxtaposition of the embroidered eyelet lace moto jacket and lace dress trimmed in leather.
Form-fitting and frills ruled at Zac Posen, where the designer stuck to what he knows best. For variation, he worked in more short, swingy dresses than usual, many in pleated silk, in subtle hues straight from an English garden.
With Lisa Marsh and Sheila McClear
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