Fashion Dealer: Vera Wang

Vera Wang doesn’t need to be reminded that she’s not the only Wang in town these days. “There’s an Asian invasion going on,” she said during a preview a few days before her spring show. “And I’m the grandmother.” All self-deprecation aside, Wang is celebrating her 20th anniversary this year and has every right to do so with an ode to the motherland. And if Asia offers no shortage of sartorial references from which to choose, finding a way to make it modern presented a challenge until she found the right muse: Lucy Liu’s Japanese gangster in “Kill Bill.” “It was Asian in a different way, not as girly and demure, but sexier and tougher.”

Wang has dabbled in edgy glamour before, typically with dark layers and soft accents, piled high with demonstrative jewels. But this was a new direction, more precise and confident with an intriguing intimidation factor. Out from the shadowy forest backdrop, a blown-up photograph by Yoshihiko Ueda, came the girls in equally mysterious colors: black, eggplant and forest green with a pop of pink or crimson, worked in striking combinations on the floral prints, culled from photographs of magnolias. Wang kept to her signature boy-girl tension, but in a pared-down silhouette and virtual absence of major jewelry — two necklaces in total. Boyshorts, either knee length and slim or short and loose, injected a cool androgyny into the collection, while candy-colored tulle dresses, delightful minus the skinny tails, offered a pretty angle. Decoration came through a series of loosely interpreted Pan-Asian motifs. Origami folds came sharp and flat on a wrap coat and sculptural on printed sheaths, some cinched with corded sumo belts. Nothing was too literal, though that didn’t make the outsize curves that jutted from the hips of dresses and skirts in Wang’s wacky version of an obi any more manageable. But as Wang said, “I’m getting a little more courageous as I get older.” And this collection was a daring departure that bore ample rewards.

(WWD)

Each season I look forward to the new Vera Wang collections. From clothing to accessories she never fails to disappoint. Always fresh and up to the minute, her current collection is absolutely breathtaking! The gathers, and draping combined with delicate structure is amazing. She remains the consumate designer.

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Jill Hennessy: Making the Most of Spring Fashion

Draped
A figure-flattering trend that hugs where you want it and gives where it matters most.

- Dress, $248, BCBG Max Azria Runway cotton dress, bcbg.com
- Necklace, $1,350, Marni coal, acrylic, horn and glass necklace, Bergdorf Goodman 800-558-1855
- Earrings, $145, Alexis Bittar Lucite earrings, alexisbittar.com

Polka Dots
Everyone needs a bit of girlish charm. Go for big (and bold) in this classic motif.

- Dress, $2,695, Michael Kors silk wool dress, Saks Fifth Avenue, 212-753-4000
- Belt, $295, Michael Kors patent leather belt, 310-777-8862
- Earrings, $290, Janis by Janis Savitt Swarovski crystal hoops, Bergdorf Goodman, 800-558-1855

Embellished
Look for ethereal fabrics adorned with beading, a great way to ground a floaty dress.

- Dress, $2,750, Vera Wang organza dress and slip skirt, verawang.com
- Belt, $1,250, Vera Wang crystal and leather belt, verawang.com

Belted
Anyone can wear this season’s big volume pieces, but the key to control is cinching them at the waist.

- Jacket, $2,165, Armani Collezioni linen and silk viscose blend jacket, 212-339-5950
- Pants, $295, Emporio Armani silk pants,emporioarmani.com.com
- Pin, $175, Emporio Armani crystal pin (on pants), emporioarmani.com.com
- Ring, $330, Stephen Dweck sterling silver and hematite ring,stephendweck.com.com
- Necklace, $735, Chanel metal necklace, select Chanel boutiques, 800-550-0005
- Clutch, $165, BR Monogram leather clutch, bananarepublic.com.com

Stripes
Choose classic colors, like black and navy, and keep lines vertical for a slimming effect.

- Blazer, $199, Lauren by Ralph Lauren cotton blazer Select Lord & Taylor stores, 800-223-7440
- Top, $425, Ralph Lauren Black Label viscose-blend top, ralphlauren.com
- Jeans, $80, Calvin Klein Jeans cotton-blend jeans, Macy’s, 800-423-6335
- Shoes, $865, Manolo Blahnik leather shoes, Barney’s, 212-826-8900
- Necklace, $500, Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel bead and crystal necklace, leeangel.com

Boyfriend Blazer
Replace your go-to cardigan with something structured. Best advice? Keep it bright and sexy underneath.

- Blazer, $495, Rag & Bone cotton-blend blazer, rag-bone.com
- Dress, $178, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent silk dress, madisonlosangeles.com
- Bracelet, $1,850, Bottega Veneta sterling silver cuff, bottegaveneta.com
- Necklace, $500, Lori Leavitt sterling silver necklace, lorileavitt.com

Harem Pants
Finally, style meets comfort — a welcome relief from the skinny jeans trend of seasons past.

- Pants, $325, Nicole Miller Collection silk viscose pants, nicolemiller.com
- Top, $325, Nicole Miller Collection silk viscose top,nicolemiller.com
- Bracelet, $850, Miriam Haskell glass stone on brass-plated chain bracelet; miriamhaskell.com

Mixed Prints
New rule: It’s fresh to pair different prints—as long as the colors are compatible.

- Top, $375, Catherine Malandrino silk chiffon top, neimanmarcus.com
- Skirt, $325, Catherine Malandrino wool-blend skirt, Lucy’s, 203-438-1908
- Cuff, price upon request, Cartier 18k yellow gold cuff, cartier.com for stores
- Ring, $385, Alexis Bittar vermeil with rose quartz ring, alexisbittar.com

(More magazine)

The draped dress and necklace are true perfection! I also like the striped jacket with the boyfriend jeans.

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