Carolina Herrera New York Fashion Week S/S 2013

A saccharine daydream breezed by New York in the form of Carolina Herrera’s upcoming S/S proposal where fluidity, lightness and sophistication reigned as predominant themes. Herrera decided to play with new proportions, in which ethereality cultivated beautifully soft lines and silhouettes.

The color palette was mainly of a pastel base, with pale blue, sea-foam green, and velvet-gray; contrasting with warm hues like electric orange, yellow and red. The range of fabrics used varied from light spring knits, wool crepes to even breezier organza, cotton, chiffon, gazar and smooth silk.

Waists were sensuously cinched with thin belts that were occasionally  embellished with quirky, abstract patterns, and ankle grazing longuettes combined flirtatiousness and elegance for stunningly exquisite looks. Fitted, youthful jackets came in black and ivory contrasting jackets, with pale-toned collared shirts embellished with colorful insets. Herrera quickly subtly-shifted our attention to the neck with sheer column dresses and blouses with different necklines, ornate embellished collars and flowing halter-top dresses. Prints shifted between minimalist, abstract patterns and a richer, golden, baroque print. A blouse with puffed sleeves was spotted, but the chic, long cuffs were a recurring characteristic. The only “masculine hints” upon the runway were two pairs of high-waisted, flouncing and pleated shorts, one of which was embroidered at the edges with a pattern of electric orange flowers.

As usual, Herrera’s column gowns were the sweetest parts of the collection: in fils coupe, silk, organza and chiffon, each dress had a distinct personality characterized with embellishments here and there and flowing cuts that certainly did not lack in femininity.

Overall, Herrera’s game with proportions ended as a win-win. Her attempts with the more youthful pieces succeeded with the insertion of a more mature and luxurious fabrics, and the little details like the color contrasts.

Nonetheless, this is another exquisite collection by a woman who truly knows how to embody elegance and femininity in dresses made for dreams.