Profile

Catharine Malandrino's flagship store is designed to leave the meatpacking milieu behind for a garden stroll, complete with sloping white-marble floors, green moss shaped into soccer-ball size topiary, and chairs fashioned from twisted branches. There’s even a "rain shower" chandelier with icicle-size droplets blown of glittering Murano glass, below which lies a smooth, round table that, like a pond, reflects both the cascade above and a yellow-gold banquette nearby. The room is divided by a wall. On one side, find runway-ready jacquard-print dresses, extensively hand-worked knits, and puffy chiffon jackets; on the other, set against metallic overlapping gold leaf-like squares, you’ll find the regular-folks line, featuring pointelle sweaters in soft-tone pastels, flouncy lace-insert dresses fit for a city nymph, beaded tunics and tanks. Malandrino designs for real women: Flattering bias cuts and woven knits emphasize curves; loose skirts with handkerchief hems elongate the legs; shirred or knotted tops show off the bust. Famous for playing with contrasting textures, the designer skillfully combines chiffon with heavy wool, or adds a swatch of heavy, embroidered fabric to a loose cotton top. There are handbags and shoes, too. — Diane Mehta