Isn’t it romantic? Day 2 of New York Fashion Week
Reporting from New York — It was all about the frilly blouse on Day 2 of the spring 2016 collections at New York Fashion Week, both on the runway and in the seats, where off-shoulder and high-neck styles competed for attention.
The bigger trend these frilly toppers signal is a turn toward romance, both sweet and sexy, retro, as in 1990s and really retro, as in 1890s Victoriana.
Jason Wu loosened up a bit and his collection was the better for it. Flouncy, feminine dresses came in watercolor florals, vibrant bottle green or tulip pink, and were worn with flat sandals for a low-key elegance. And there was a lightness to the fabrics -- which appeared airy, woven and sometimes fringed (raffia maybe?) on wrap-front pencil skirts, and shorts suits.
FULL COVERAGE: New York Fashion Week 2015
Then there were a few OMG pieces -- the snake charmer green python dress, and the summer fur, actually a fitted white sleeveless jacket with sheered fur on the front, that spoke to his knack for super luxe. Taken together, the clothes were more lively and fun than we’ve seen from Wu in the past.
Wes Gordon was also romancing the runway, albeit with a sporty, 1990s storyline. Think plaid ruffled slip dresses spliced with Victorian lace, sleeveless pleated babydoll tops or drop-shoulder blouses trailing decorative ribbons from the sleeves, over wide trousers or leather shorts, and a funky, ivory chiffon finale dress with handwoven cording like silly string.
Zimmerman, the Aussie favorite that recently opened a massive boutique on Melrose Place, took the day’s sweet mood to the max, with ticking lace flared skirts, high-neck blouses, French striped play suits and dresses with corset lacing on bare shoulders. If it felt like a bit too much Victoriana, especially with the tooled leather corset belts, choker necklaces and filigree booties, remember that the Zimmerman faithful -- pretty young bloggers and Hollywood starlets -- will make the look their own. Wear any of the tops or military jackets with flared denim, for example, and the look will be Instagram ready.
Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs have carved out a sexy niche with their Cushnie Et Ochs label, known for sleek, figure-hugging dresses (as worn at the show by Grace Gealey and Kaitlin Doubleday of TV’s “Empire.”)
Photos: Celebs at NYFW spring 2016
For spring, the designers crossed a ladylike vibe with ’90s hip-hop and the result was sizzling. From the very first look, baggy, peach-colored trousers worn low slung over a high-cut body suit, exposing a flash of the hips, I was brought back to Halle Berry’s heyday. Sorbet-colored dresses sliced and buttoned on the sides had a certain sultriness, as did black leather coveralls worn with nothing underneath, and swimwear with brass buttons accenting the bust.
To accessorize? Bandanas in duchess satin. Ochs described the look this way: “It’s uptown gangster.”
Fab.
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