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| Spring 2013 Michael Kors double face tricotine shift (All photos: Style.com) |
In addition to www.lookonline.com , (I would hope), these past days, it would have to be The Daily Front Row, which, along with WWD, The New York Times fashion supplements, and a number of other show and fashion related material, was handed out to show goers each day at The Lincoln Center venues.
On Wednesday morning, heading into The Theatre, to see Michael Kors’ spring collection, we were greeted with the latest edition, featuring an eye popping cover. It was a graphic black & white homage to Marc Jacobs, whose well received 6 1/2 minute runway show on Monday night, was a study almost entirely done in varying combinations of black & white, with touches of red and some beige thrown in for good measure.
The cover, featuring a photographic collage of some of Marc’s black & white stripes, dots, checks, houndstooth, and leopard print designs, was offset against a swirling, almost psychedelic black & white background to further emphasis the point, and the cover lines read: “Vortex of Chic: Marc’s Best 6 1/2 Minutes”. The positive reaction to Marc’s show is not at all surprising given the universal appeal of iconic black & white. It’s one of those fashion statements that never goes out of style and never loses its appeal. It’s fresh, eye catching, and a palette cleanser and instantly makes everything else look old hat and demode.
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| White navy striped cashmere pullover, white navy striped shantung skirt |
When I took my seat, I read Michael’s run of show, to see what the collection (for women and men) would look like, and I was happy to see that it promised “geometric glamour”, graphic stripes, optical checks, and graphic combos of black and white, among other things. While the main color palette that would define Michael’s 65 piece collection, was crimson, navy, and white, with touches of palm (green) and sun (yellow), the navy was so dark, it could really pass for black.
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| Black & white houndstooth jacquare coat pullover and black stretch silk shorts |
Bold stripes, in crimson and navy, and navy and white, began the show, and it looked snappy, sporty, and terrific. Shapes kept sleek, simple, very pared down, and minimal. There were striped and graphically color blocked bodysuits, pullovers, twill coats, shifts, techno twill blazers and pants, paillette skirts, shorts, and maillots. One particular standout was the white and navy striped cashmere pullover with a white and navy striped shantung pleated skirt. When red was used, it made quite a statement, (a bodysuit with a graphic cut out back, was shown with a crepe duvatine skirt, and a beautifully cut coat in duchesse, was shown with a matching trouser).
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| Black double face crepe harness gown |
It was not until outfit number 52, that the graphic black and white pieces came down the runway, and they looked great. There was a black & white opticheck jacquard shift; a black & white houndstooth jacquard coat, houndstooth pullover, and black stretch shorts; a black and white houndstooth jacquard coat with matching bermudas; a black and white striped pullover shown with black trousers; and black and white striped broadcloth blazer, striped broadcloth shorts, and black cashmere pullover. One of my favorite sweaters (because it was different in the front and back: something Ralph Rucci did in his collection) was actually shown on a guy. It had long sleeves, and while it was black in front, the back was black & white stripes. Michael repeated this in crimson and navy stripes. The show ended with three simple yet dramatic black double face crepe gowns with arresting cut outs: a tank, a halter, and a harness. (We can’t see to escape harnesses, can we?)
Yes, Yes, Nanette!
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| Spring 2013 Nanette Lepore black & white checked skirt with print v neck top |
Nanette Lepore showed right after Michael Kors, and her well done 30 piece collection began with a black & white checked wrap dress, accessorized with a wide woven belt. She made a statement with black & white, using it repeatedly (narrow stripes and checks). They took the form of jackets, shorts, skirts, and pants, and were always combined with pieces in a contrasting color and/or print.
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| Beaded jacket, pistachio knit top, check pants |
The best pieces were the pistachio printed jacket with black & white striped shorts; the elongated black and white striped vest worn over a clover applique dress; the white jacket decorated with black beads which was paired with a pistachio knit top and narrow black & white checked pants; and the clover raffia jacket worn with a clover print top and black & white checked shorts.
In addition, she showed swimsuits, black jersey dresses both long and short (with black lace or mesh details), and a group of very pretty dresses in art inspired coral and sky blue prints.
-Marilyn Kirschner
THE DAILY BET – by Rhonda Erb
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