Tracy Reese is riding a wave this week after Michelle Obama wore one of her dresses while addressing the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday. That s some serious product placement, and Reese kept the momentum going today with an energetic Spring show. Revving up the colors, embellishments, and prints even more than usual (you d never call her a minimalist), Reese made sure to balance things out with looser silhouettes. "I wanted it to be strong but relaxed, and never too precious," she said backstage. Away-from-the-body clutch coats came in a lightweight jacquard as well as in laminated linen (the latter version also featured a cool, perforated leather hem), and slouchy silk trousers got a glam boost from ikat-patterned beading or mirrored "shingle" sequins. In general, separates like a mash-up moto jacket and funky, floral embroidered button-downs (reminiscent of old-school Hawaiian shirts) upstaged Reese s typically best-selling frocks this time around. Nothing here approximated the first lady s winning, iridescent brocade number from the other night. But then again, who would dare try to outdress Mobama anyways?
