It seems that Donna Karan is currently in a somewhat celebratory mood. Not surprising, considering she is enjoying her 25th year at the forefront of American style as well as revelling in her nomination by the CFDA ( that's the 'Council of Fashion Designers of America' to those of you not stateside), for the 'American Designer of the Year Award 2010'.
Not too shabby for a woman operating in a predominently male dominated industry for the past quarter century, and who has proven herself to be a mainstay of great American design when many of her male contemporaries have either dropped out, sold out or been pushed out. Did I hear someone say Halston, Bill Blass, or Calvin Klein?
In fact, it would be pretty hard to name a fashion designer in
So it makes sense to round off the year by presenting a Resort 2011 collection which invoked the spirit of a sophisticated woman who likes to party from Martini-time at dusk until Bellini-time at dawn.
There was something for every woman here. From the downtown androgyne to the uptown glamazon. All in a moody nocturnal pallette that evoked starlit skies, moonlit clouds, and midnight mayhem (of the best kind).
Tuxedo boyfriend blazers over plunging necklines dresses, louche and slouchy pyjamas suits that could transport you from a swanky soirée to a private boudoir in a New York minute. Not to mention the showstoppingly mercurial liquid platinum dress that is sure to make an appearance on a red carpet near you very soon.
I couldn't help but be reminded of numerous iconic American women from the last century in this collection.
May she celebrate another 25 years.
- Andrew Scott Holden in New York
