BY Irene Kaoru
February 5, 2008
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Vera Wang. The name evokes a flurry of wedding gowns and a cloud of that dreadful girlie perfume called “Princess.” Wang’s dusty pink-tinted image generally leaves me unimpressed. Her Spring/Summer 08 collection knocked me on my derrière. For those who haven’t seen it yet, it might just be a revelation.

Extremely sophisticated, each outfit in the collection appears to be effortlessly assembled from the most fluid silks and satins. Wang has said she found inspiration in the gowns of ancient Rome, but many of the pieces remind me of the intricately folded constructions from Comme des Garcons, with their unexpected volumes and back details. The color choices and proportions are gusty. Wang has her own highly sensual vision of what women would wear in the Spring and Summer, and has created a palette of rich earthy Renaissance blues and greens.

With her choice of color and slick, fine fabrics that beg to be stroked, the collection seems to vibrate quietly, oozing allure while only occasionally allowing us a glimpse of one shoulder. The wearer looks chic, the clothes aren’t skin tight. That’s a sexy, classy fashion coup.

Vera Wang Spring/Summer 08 on NYMag.com
Photos from the front row by Sandy Ramirez