"Fellini-inspired play clothes" was how Vera Wang billed her latest effort. And while this collection evoked the artsy but luxury-loving Vera woman more than it did, say, Anita Ekberg splashing about in a Roman fountain, the clothes aimed for an easy sensibility. In place of the designer s beloved leggings were satin cropped harem pants and shorts (a tough sell, perhaps, though designers have been proposing the drop-crotch silhouette for a few seasons now, so maybe they know something we don t). These were worn with, among other pairings, a molded bustier, sheer asymmetric cardigan, and lovely short-sleeve silver sequined coat. Pleated cotton blouses and a tailored blazer with rosette details rounded out the day looks.
Eveningwear wasn t the focus today, but there were some fine moments. A zip-front slip with a tulle overlay could be dressed up or down; ditto a wrap dress with a knit bodice. Best, though, was a billowy gray washed silk number. Floating down the runway, it looked up-to-the-minute but caught a sense of the glamorous ease hinted at in Wang s inspiration.
