Seconds before Diane von Furstenberg would have come out for her bow, with the models taking their final lap around her crowded West 12th Street studio and show space, a rack of stage lights fell from the ceiling. The Daily Telegraph s Hilary Alexander was hurt, as were several other editors and publicists, and many in the audience were badly shaken. The accident put a frightening stop to what was a strong outing for the designer.
In her program notes, von Furstenberg said she was inspired by Rome, but the collection looked more like a tour through her own glamorous closets, if she had archived everything from her three decades in the international spotlight. First out was a cotton shirtdress in an oversize twig design. The black-and-white print was one of many bold botanicals, palm trees and giant kelp included. There wasn t a shrinking violet in sight. Wrap dresses came in solid, slinky jerseys perfectly suited for a twirl at Studio 54, while floor-length evening gowns were generously beaded. There was plenty of sportswear—bermudas, full Bianca trousers, and slim skirts—in the mix. Among the many jackets, a denim style with topstitching looked fresh. But if you want glam, Diane did that too, in the form of several smart little toppers in Lurex.
