Nanette Lepore has opened an art gallery in her home and showcases talented artists several times a year. For her spring collection, she collaborated with one of them, Laurie Fields, transforming her mythical paintings into whimsical gowns in vibrant colors — such as a kitschy character print on a ruffle-necked maxidress. You could see that Lepore is having fun with fashion again, and now that she has brought her price point up, she can more easily work with luxe textiles such as brocades and jacquards as well as rich embroideries and delicate lace.
The designer held an intimate presentation and showed her made-in-New York offerings on forms with beautiful floral arrangement on their heads. Key looks included a lace-tiered top with shoulder cutouts paired with striped trousers with a corseted waist; a paisley brocade pantsuit; a beaded floral-embellished dress; a needlepoint-embroidered dress, and a check-print, off-the-shoulder number that came in both a mini and a longer length.