New York Look: Spring 2008 - Dresses Are Confections - New York Magazine Fashion Coverage

Dresses Are Confections

The shapes were simple, the surface treatments profound. The Mulleavy sisters, who design Rodarte, used cascading beads, frayed silk, and fragile pink poppies to create a look that evoked French couture.

Published Nov 26, 2007

Wood nymphs are moving in. At Jean Paul Gaultier, Sonia Rykiel, and elsewhere, models in gauzy frocks and wild hair looked like they had been romping with satyrs.

Clothes are a playground. Bits of flowers, ribbons, appliqué, beads—designers including Carolina Herrera and Louise Gray scattered their dresses with joyful decoration.

Plumage is here to stay. The feathers that landed on fall’s collections multiplied in spring. Giambattista Valli’s minidress looked like a newly hatched chick, while Oscar de la Renta played for drama with a spray of black coq feathers.

Welcome to New York Look	Paolo Pellegrin's Fashion Week Portfolio
Proenza Schouler's Inspiration	The Surroundings: Dior's Seating Chart
Has Marc Jacobs Pushed His Faithful Too Far?	Roberto Cavalli's Surprising New Collection
Alber Elbaz Puts on the Show of the Season	The Fug Girls on Anna and Roger
Makeup Creations From Pat McGrath	What Editors Do in New York, Milan, and Paris
The Designers Making London Interesting Again	The Parties: All Night Long, All Week Long
In the Park With Ralph Lauren	A Timeline of the Skirt
Five Models Stirring Up the Runways	When the Backdrop Is the Star
Fashion Week by the Numbers	Spring's Best Accessories
Trend: Floral Prints Are Everywhere	Trend: Legs Are the New Cleavage
Trend: Crayola Cocktail Dresses	Trend: Modern Body Art
Trend: Shimmer and Shine	Trend: Ethereal Evening Gowns
Trend: Gowns as Confections	Trend: Small Is the New Big
Trend: Men's Fashions	Trend: Bare Legs Are Boring