New York Fashion Week: Emerson Spring 2014 Violet, Stripes, Prints

Violet flowers and black strips on the runway at the Emerson SS14 collection photos: Randy Brooke

If Elizabeth Taylor were alive today, I can’t help but think she’d be wearing Jackie Fraser Swan’s Emerson dresses and gowns from the designer’s Spring 2014 collection. The Emerson palette of  deep violet colors and rich florals would be the perfect compliment to Ms. Taylor’s her violet eyes.  Dame Elizabeth would’ve been dying for the violet colored leather jackets and the chiffon dresses.  The violet color palette, floral prints and flower embellishments were the show stoppers at the Emerson Spring 2014 Runway show (at least for me.)  The Katy full length gown featured custom cut Ivy covering the bust, purple silk chiffon making up the fullness of the skirt and ivy leaves hand sewn onto the skirt. It was truly a work of art.

Deep Purple: Shades of Violet in dress and prints at Emerson SS14 (photos: Randy Brooke)

Ms. Fraser Swan, the designer behind the Emerson fashion label, said she envisioned her show as if” A group of punk rock kids crashed a private garden on the Upper East Side where the Ramones were playing a secret show .”  But honestly, I didn’t see the punk here, as much as I saw old school glamour.  Although this collection  featured more casual looks called the “Emerson Punks”  it was the gowns that stole this show.   The “Emerson Punks” consisted of hoodie, pant, bomber jacket and skirt.  But to me, these were not as unique, or as special, as the dresses and the long gowns.  I loved the tiered gown with sheer black organza panels, which was the stunning closing look at the show.   I can see this look on the Red Carpet, probably at the GRAMMYS or the Golden Globes which are not as formal as the Oscars.

Ms. Fraser Swan is a descendant of writer Ralph Waldo Emerson and his non-conformist, individualist views have clearly been passed on.   Emerson’s writing was all about non-conformity and self-reliance, but he was also about beauty and appreciation of nature.  I can see that in Emerson SS14,  the clothing is unique, but also beautiful.  The collection is fresh and feminine, and those deep rich purples are striking and bold.  The florals pay tribute to the beauty of spring flowers and reawakening.    The hoodies…meh.