Spring Fashion Preview
Hats off to Donna Karan for mixing sexy street art with crazy chapeaus
Pharrell Williams would have loved Donna Karan's spring 2015 runway show at New York Fashion Week. The longtime designer sent out her models in all sorts of fun hats designed by Stephen Jones. Some Dr. Seuss-like toppers reached several feet high; other straw boaters are perfect for a spring day.
It was a fun addition to a nice-and-easy collection with just the right amount of splash.
In recent years, Karan has traveled the world for humanitarian causes, and the collection reflects influences of Haiti, Africa, India and Bali. There are tribal print skirts, some with with ruffles at the hemline in samba-style fashion; colorful tweed suits in basketweave patterns; and paint-splashed shirt dresses belted at the waist.
But no designer is as closely associated with New York as Karan, so many of the prints have a street art style, with graffiti scribbles inspired by such artists as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring.
Everything has a comfortable feeling — models glided down the runway without fear of stumbling in too-tight ensembles; even the evening wear flows with long skirts that fan out below the knee. Karan being Karan, though, still enjoys showcasing the body: In this collection, bra tops are paired with ball gown skirts or otherwise ladylike two-piece suits.
Street smart and sexy is always a good combination.