The compulsion to clean house is strong in Spring—it s an opportunity to throw off heavy knits and turn the page on silhouettes that have fatigued the eye since February. For Nicole Miller, Spring 2008 is a moment for "streamlined glamour" and timelessness, not trends.
As she explained backstage, "After all those big dresses, it s time to bring things in." Sleek day frocks and high-waisted pencil skirts with pleated seams hugged curves that had been ignored of late. These were the kind of hardworking looks that loyal customers appreciate: classic enough for the office and sexy enough for afterward. Also fresh were wide-legged trousers cut in fluid tropical wool and paired with strong-shouldered blouses or boyish soldier s jackets.
The real news here, though, was Miller s sophisticated take on rompers (rechristened "short jumpsuits," to avoid obnoxious playground connotations). And, of course, it wouldn¿t be Nicole Miller without a few prints. She eschewed her beloved paisleys for stained-glass patterns in jewel tones. Though eye-catching, these worked best in smaller doses, i.e., a blouse layered under a cardigan. Yes, there can be too much of a good thing.
