This was a good day of collections. A very good day. If you want to look through photos of an entire show, I suggest picking one or more of the designers below. We’re still pondering how designers all manage to interpret their inspirations so they end up designing with the same color palette or the same “it” silhouette. So far, the theory of a fashion overlord has been proposed (which Sasha likes to think is Anna Wintour.) On to the shows…

Araks – All the pieces in the little Araks collection look like you could live in them. To be honest, I never paid much attention to the brand until now. The rich coloring gets me. I’m taken with the deep rusty red. All the garments are so preppy in a unique way. It’s like a brighter, well-edited, richer j.crew.

Behnaz Sarafpour – If Sarafpour would have stayed away from the strips of bright fabrics this collection would have been a hit. Instead, it feels like she had a fashon spaz moment, perhaps trying to hit on a trend. Aside from those little mix-ups, the collection offers beautiful pieces that make me think of deco glam. Lace, bows, high necks, in nudes and blacks for an elegant and lady-like line. Just stay away from the weird bright pieces.

Derek Lam – Lam’s collection is more summer than spring, but that’s just fine. He used bright teal, red, blue, black, and a mix of prints. There’s a touch of Chanel (Coco, not Lagerfeld.) He also offered some sun lounging outfits, which are like glamorous swimsuits that you can’t swim in.


Diane von Furstenberg – OMFG DVF! I can’t wait to get my hands on some of this collection. The prints are colorful, exotic, and never too much. Just wearing these pieces make you feel like you’ve traveled. And you know that anything you buy from DVF never goes far out of style.

DKNY – City-girl chic with a fun twist has always been DKNY’s thing. Short-suits, a few splashes of bright pink, and an obnoxious floral doodle print that looks like it belongs on a pre-teen’s notebook. This is one collection that I don’t look forward to seeing hit the stores.

Elise Øverland - All hail the queen of leather! I mean, what can you really say about a collection that can use this much leather and look that chic? It’s sexy without being skanky or too over-the-top rock.


Erin Fetherston – Fetherston always guarantees a gorgeously playful and feminine collection. She kept her youthful touches, but Fetherston’s collection looked a tad more grown-up. Very sheer headwear added a lady-like touch without being too stuffy. I’m also happy to see dainty lace gloves paired with some of the more serious looks. No brights here. Fetherston kept the colors and fabrics light and airy; there were just a few LBD’s and black/navy combos toward the end. (Black and blue is an enhancing color pairing for brunettes, so I’m very pleased.)

Hervé Léger by Max Azria – Was that an actual skirt I saw? With a dusty palette, Azria moved away (just a step) from the usual bandage dress and stepped it up a notch by using new techniques like crochet. Granted, there were more than a few dresses so tight and so short that the paparazzi will be sending Mr. Azria gifts when one of the many starlets who adore him don one of these Légers.

Karen Walker – Yes, another non-80’s collection! Walker’s 60’s brit swing looks are so fun, they’ll make you want to run out and buy bright yellow shoes (seen on several models here.) Flirty full skirts, quirky prints, many stripes, and ruffles. What’s great is that she didn’t take the 60’s thing to an extreme. It all still feels modern. I can see so many different types of girls wearing these putting their own twists on the looks.

Lela Rose – Not a woman who shies away from color, Rose gave us a rainbow. Everything feminine and gorgeous. I adore the tie-dye purple and green dress. (Also seen in the top in the 2nd look above.) Rose made fabulous use of folding and draping. Combined with the standout color and Rose’s eye for not going overboard, this collection was a winner.

Rachel Roy – For one thing, she definitely has a favorite silhouette, especially in skirts. (See above photos.) Roy’s looks are womanly, sexy, and sophisticated without trying too hard. Roy opened the show with a grey number, eventually moving to jewel colors and then to some chic blacks. This collection is less girlish than her past, but in a very good way. Whether you’re 20 or 40, you can wear this collection. That’s something Roy can (and will) take to the bank.

Rebecca Taylor – The usual Taylor precious floral prints, but with sophisticated styling. There was no ruffle overkill. I only worry that some consumers might ask why they shouldn’t just go to Urban Outfitters right now and pick up one of the short floral skirts or dresses available for far cheaper.

Reem Acra – Dear Meriam-Webster, please insert a picture of Reem Acra next to the word glamour in the dictionary. There wasn’t a single piece in this collection that I didn’t “ohh” or “ahhh” over. Acra managed to make jumpsuits cocktail worthy. That whisper of a dress on the left is genius. There was sequins, draping, jewels, painted fabrics, sheerness, brights and neutrals, yet Acra managed to look like no other designer this week.

Tuleh – The pieces at Tuleh were all lovely and well made, but the theme was a tad off. The looks didn’t flow together. And yes, the spring/summer 2010 color palette was in effect here.

Victoria Beckham – As much as I try to hate these clothes, I can’t. They’re actually good, although VB should take some bigger risks in her designs. Plus, she made clothes for Gossip Girl and I can totally see Blair in the red dress.

Y-3 – I think Alex Wang and Yoji should be allowed to design the outfits for the next olympic ceremonies, since they’re so into sports inspired apparel. Yoji’s collection is for the too cool kids that can pull it off or for the very rich soccer fan. If you aren’t one of those two, then I don’t blame you if you don’t relate to this collection.
So about Day 4:
Jumpsuits and rompers are still around.
Some designers are daring to get away from the 80’s. Yay!
Still into the brights. Very exotic.
Lots of leg. We didn’t see that funky slashed neckline in these.
Lady-like details are creeping in, which is a welcome touch.
All images {via} Style.com edited for the Little Pink Book
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Jenn Ortiz is a graduate of the University of Florida with degrees in History and Latin American Studies with hopes to pursue a PhD in Child Development. She believes there is beauty in everything around us; from the inside out, outside in. She currently runs {Bits of Beauty} a place you just feel good about and guest blogs for Design Tavern and Wishpot.










