“All The Print That’s Fit to News”

No, this is not a typo…The print and pattern story is so big this season, that The New York Times might temporarily want to change the quote that appears on the left side of the newspaper, (“All the news that’s fit to print”).

After Miuccia Prada’s amazing influence here at Fashion Week, the second biggest story is that the season is all about prints. There are so many dizzying prints of all types being shown on runways, it seems as if designers have figured out that we simply don’t need any more solid clothes for the time being. The scary thing is that many of the models and many of the show attendees are actually starting to look like Shayil Upadaya. (you know, the funny looking guy who hangs around every day dressed from head to toe in dizzying prints of his own design). Anna Wintour has been wearing printed dresses or patterned ensembles every day as well.

There has hardly been one collection that has not either focused on interesting prints, or at the very least, used them in the line-up. Yesterday’s Lilly Pulitzer show, held at the Tents, was a shining example of how “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. The happy, optimistic, signature colors and patterns that define Lilly Pulitzer were not only shown on the runway, but as a fitting homage, many guests, getting dressed for the event on a beautiful, warm Sunday, opted for their own Lillies. It was quite a visual sight! There were older couples decked out in Lillies, moms and daughters (like lookonline.com contributor Vivian Kelly and her two beautiful girls), and young women, all wearing one version or other of Lilly Pulitzer. And you know what? It looked great. It was a nice nostalgic throwback to happier, more simpler times.

When you walked inside the tent area, you were served cool refreshments in plastic gobblers which were tinted lime, pink, yellow. Instead of feeling as if you were in New York, you could have easily been in Palm Beach. And on each seat, attendees were treated to large, great looking Lilly Pulitzer tote bags (orange, lime, pink, blue) …all lined in the trademark floral print. Each bag held contrast colored tiny terry hand towels and a bottle of water. All day long, you could see show-goers carrying their souvenirs.

Best yet, at the end of the show Lilly Pulitzer, the legendary founder of the company that bears her name, took a bow on the runway along with the new designer at the helm, both dressed head to toe in Pulitzer prints.

-Posted by Marilyn Kirschner