NEW YORK — Designer Caroline Hedaya is learning to trust her gut feeling.
When she was developing her collection, Caroline Hedaya, for the spring 2006 season with co-designer Donna Baxter, wanted to keep it sophisticated, but didn’t want to shy away from cutesy, girlie styles, so she injected the tailored collection with a sprinkling of ruffles, taffeta and oversized pockets. The collection launched during fashion week here in September at the Style Lounge on Broadway.
“Everyone was very impressed with the amount of work we did on classic silhouettes,” said Hedaya. “As two 22-year-olds, we got a great response.”
Despite Hedaya and Baxter’s age, the collection features luxurious, sophisticated frocks at grown-up prices. The wholesale price range of the 40-piece spring collection is between $200 for pants and cotton dresses and $1,000 for a long dress. For fall, the range for the 30-piece collection jumps slightly higher and goes from $300 for cashmere sweater dresses to $2,000 for ballroom skirts and gowns. Hedaya declined to provide a wholesale volume for the line’s first year.
The collection is available at Tucci in San Diego. The designers’ goal for next year is to launch the collection in at least six specialty stores.
“It’s definitely a luxury collection,” Hedaya said. “The fall collection is so much more mature. We were testing the waters with spring and did what we wanted. But for fall, every piece is so strong and makes a statement.”
Hedaya and Baxter met while studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology here. Hedaya grew up in Manhattan and Baxter is from Long Island, where she played guitar and piano and was very much involved in the underground music scene. “Caroline comes from a classic background where she’s seen couture designs. I was more underground, mixing in the rock scene, which definitely works as an inspiration. We look at things very differently,” said Baxter. “I think, ‘Would I wear this?’ and Caroline thinks, ‘Is this appealing to the eye?'”
Key pieces from spring include a plaid full jacket that wholesales for $335, a three-layer dress that wholesales for $520 and a sailboat dress in silk and chiffon, which wholesales for $600. For fall, Hedaya said the theme is based on Neil Simon’s romantic comedy, “Barefoot in the Park.” The collection mainly features cashmere dresses; tight, form-fitted silhouettes with leather detailing, and colors such as emerald green, black and beige.
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“These are really special pieces that should be worn at a gala or a museum party,” Hedaya said. “It’s for a free-spirited woman who has a sense of humor. It’s fashion. We’re not looking to be so serious.”
“She’s got to be confident and willing to stand out,” Baxter added.
“Exactly,” Hedaya concurred. “Emerald green is not an easy color to wear.”