NYFW: DKNY American Expressionist Spring Summer 2012

How do you put on a fashion show on the day of national tragedy? By making it a tribute to New York, the city you love. Donna Karan addressed the elephant in the room called Sept. 11th today at her DKNY show with typical elegance and understatement.  The programs today reminded New Yorkers and the fashion world have the city came together on Sept. 11 and it was the first thing viewers saw on the program at the Spring/Summer 2012 show.  It took courage to address that, but I think that is Donna Karan’s forthright style.

Pictured: The program from DKNY’s show honored the memory of 9/11 (photo M. Hall)

Today’s collection for Spring/Summer was very American with splashes of red, white and blue, set off by pops of soft pinks, bright raspberry and fuchsia and large floppy hats. The hats for the show were by Kokin. The color palette ranged from bold digital poppies to soft pinks. There were diaphanous flowing, layered dresses, as well as sheath dresses and coats in bright reds accented with floppy hats (lined in blue) perfect for keeping the summer sun off your face. The bright spring colors reminded New Yorkers on this gray day that spring will come again, and the flowers will bloom.  Especially if you’re a DKNY girl.

Pictured: A soft pink layered dress for Spring 2012 from DKNY  (photo by Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

 

Pictured: DKNY Red zippered top and matching chapeau (photo: M. Hall)

The collection was a mix of form fitting and loosely structured garments, offering something for a variety of shapes and sizes. Versatile oversized Tees could be paired with skinny pants or contrasting coats and jackets. This collection had more prints that previous collections from DKNY, including some lovely graphite prints in black, white and soft pink patterns. I look forward to seeing the collection in stores this Spring. You can never go wrong with a little DKNY.