Unlike many designers who appeal to the downtown crowd, Wayne Lee isn t afraid of calling her clothes workwear. "This would be great for the office," she said in her studio, holding up a pair of trousers with a lightly ruffled skirt attached to the front. In fact, a woman could easily build a new sort of power wardrobe out of Lee s Spring collection. The designer did a lot with "two for ones," including a white diamond-dotted shirt attached to a black skirt, as well as a vest and dress paired together for a new spin on the suit. Even a T-shirt dress was office-appropriate when rendered in silk wool and triple-wrapped with a thick belt, giving it a waist. Lee brought back some of her longtime hits, including the skort, and also put a lot of emphasis on pattern. A collared tunic—which had the look of a button-up, but cleaner—was done in a digital python print. It was particularly good with a saffron-colored trench in silk wool. Great for work? Yes. But still cool.
