NEW YORK, June 19, 2012
By Nicole Phelps
Diane von Furstenberg's Resort collection is a trip. With her creative director, Yvan Mispelaere, she dreamed up a journey across the U.S., starting at her 14th Street headquarters and heading south to the Everglades, back up to Memphis, through Las Vegas, and all the way to California. Each spot provided a different set of prints: New York gave them wet cobblestones; Florida, the palm leaves; and the Southwest, hot-air balloons. The rockabilly vibe of a mismatched tuxedo (baby blue jacket and bubble-gum pink pants) came courtesy of Elvis and Graceland.
Prints have been a trademark since DVF's 1970's launch, and the range here was impressive, but since Mispelaere signed up at the house, it's the strong, surprising color combinations that are getting the most notice. See the neon celadon romper paired with a blush pink button-down and the sky blue trompe l'oeil top that was shown with rust-colored pants. Accessories have also gotten some special attention. Just back from a globe-spanning trip of her own, von Furstenberg said she could've used the two-tone cone-heel wedges with animal-spot trim and a day-to-night clutch with a snap closure that riffs on her signature lip print and a removable chain strap. They're not just eye candy. The wedges are genuinely comfortable, and the clutch is big enough for a phone, a set of keys, your lipstick, and some money—imagine that.
