Fashion Week September 6th

Even though we had to subject ourselves (and our favorite shoes) to utterly drenching rain and ankle-deep puddles Saturday, these four designers were able to lift our dampened spirits!

• Karen Walker

Although outside it was a downpour, Karen Walker’s collection made us feel like we were spending a sunny day on the west coast! The blues and taupes Walker used reminded us of a sandy California beach. The laid back, Cali-cool style that looked like it could have been taken from your boyfriend’s closet, was accented by her popular, quirky sunglasses, straw hats, and Keds. Yet, towards the end of the show, we were presented with leopard prints that added more femininity and a twist to our favorite Aussie’s collection.

• James Coviello

The grey skies and painful, cab-less trek over to the west side was immediately forgotten once the show started. The runway was in full bloom with Coviello’s vibrant color choices of lime green, aqua, and lilac. These bold hues were brilliantly incorporated into the collection to create, in the designer’s own words, a “kaleidoscope of color.” Our favorite pieces were his flowing and seemingly weightless dresses that had a spin-art, tie-dye aesthetic to them. Although this collection was a strong departure from his signature knits of yore, we’re glad to adapt!

• Verrier

Ashleigh Verrier’s spring/summer ’09 collection played off of a fairy tale motif, and the juxtaposition of sweetness and darkness. She didn’t get too carried away in the idea of fantasy, since these clothes had all of the right wearable ingredients — lace, ribbons, frill, and pastel colors. We simply adored the silky blouses, full ruffled-shirts, and girlish day dresses that added a lightness to the season.

• Harlan Bel

To give radiance to an otherwise black and white palette, Harlan Bel added splashes of the same green, blue, and purple hues that we saw at Coviello. We loved how she contrasted feminine colors with suspenders, vests, leather jackets, fedoras, and glasses that would make anyone with perfect vision jealous! While there were no prints, she spiced up the solid pieces with details like cutouts, pleating, and tiered shorts.

— Sarah Ferguson