NEW YORK
Saturday, February 4 On the eve of her 30th birthday, Alice Roi opens New York Fashion Week with models sporting bruised lips and thick-heeled Mary Janes. Out comes a loose blouse in cream silk crepe, with ribbon-tied puffed sleeves paired with blood-red leggings. There are also plenty of pinafore dresses and party frocks.
Later that evening, Lacoste reminds us it is now more nightclub than country club. The tennis influence is still there with fun miniskirts and lots of stripes, but designer Christophe Lemaire has also tried his hand at 1970s chic and has transformed a standard tennis jumper into a plunging V-neck minidress paired with puffy neon moon boots.
Sunday, February 5 Diane von Furstenberg avoids another lighting fiasco and successfully shows her collection at Bryant Park for the first time. Dubbed 'The Working Girl', the celebrity-packed show features swingy coats in von Furstenberg's signature loud prints, an updated version of the iconic wrap dress in suede, high-waisted pencil skirts and power suits with cinched waists.
In the evening, Bryan Bradley's Tuleh collection showcases restrained looks, including 40s-inspired tweed suits with bell sleeves, brown dresses that resemble religious habits, furs, cowl-back cocktail dresses and long gowns.
Rounding out the night, Badgley Mischka goes all out with a potpourri of dresses sporting pleats, tulle, metallic embellishments, big bows and embroidery. Fashion editors love the white Arctic-fox fur jacket and the midnight-blue moire and tulle gown cut tight around the bodice.
Monday, February 6 Two of fashion's greats are scheduled for today: Carolina Herrera is first. Her girls come out in knee-length, A-line skirts with coloured tights that match their heels. To the surprise of many, Herrera doesn't go for the skinny-trouser look that was so prevalent on other catwalks. A chocolate broad-tailed coat with turquoise swirl-print cotton lining and matching applique dress is an example of elegance without being repetitive.