Alberta Ferretti s pre-fall lineup for Philosophy is a balancing act. Half the time, the collection featured looks with youthful shapes in grown-up, ladylike fabrics like jacquard. The brocade stuff was stiff on a strapless party frock, embossed to look like croc on a modern trench, and positively gorgeous in an abstract feather design on the standout piece: a slim-fitting sheath with knit waist side panels and long sleeves.
The other half of the time, pre-fall was about sophisticated shapes cut from youthful fabrics like floral appliqué and animal prints on bristly calf hair. A long, pleated shirtdress that showed just a flash of leg courtesy of an adjustable slit was cut from fluttery, printed chiffon. The house s signature silk—Ferretti has been known as the "queen of chiffon" for ages—got the gold lamé treatment on a shorter shirtdress with a tie-neck detail. Ferretti gave her evening looks an on-trend Deco spin. Drop-waist dresses came ornately embroidered or dusted with a confettilike fringe. Add one of the tiny feathered shoulder bags, and you have a fun outfit for a jazzy night on the town.
