NYFW: Rachel Zoe Spring 2012

The Rachel Zoe Spring 2012 was a bustle of non-stop energy.  Fashionistas were pouring into the brightly lit showroom from both uptown and downtown and to see what the celebrity stylist turned designer created this season.  The show was a definite hot ticket this season as the line to enter the showroom soon extended down the block and I found myself pressed for time and having to return an hour later when some of the fury had died down.

Upon my entry the models looked a little bit tired and were getting make up touch ups as they shot part of the lookbook at the back end of the showroom. The showroom itself was a bit of a scene with attendees socializing and glammed out to the nines. I even caught of glimpse of Anna Dello Russo making her way through the crowds to say hello to Zoe. Zoe herself was present and working the floor while enthusiastically giving explanations to her designs and the inspiration behind them.

Unsurprisingly, the collection ended up looking very much like how Zoe herself dresses full of animal prints, maxi dresses, sparkle, jumpsuits, sharp tailored piece, feminine frills and of course some super high heels. All her Zoe-ettes looked super glamorous but in the same token very wearable. The inspiration for this collection was taken from “Bridgette Bardot in the south of France in the late ’60s early ’70s”. There was a definite casual luxury that was all about “glamor by day”.  I was pleasantly surprised because Zoe really made it work and look easy.

The clothes were most definitely not only wearable but they were also super flattering and feminine. I was in particular a fan of the soft ruffled sleeves in the clip jacquard maxi number that transformed the model a modern day goddess. While the red outfits were not my favorites, I was enamored by the 70s color palettes that included tan, rust, mustard and brown. In particular, I thought the rust trouser suit with cobalt blue shirt was a standout color combination. The fabrications with their variations of texture lent an overall feeling of opulence that came without trying too hard.

As for accessories, while strappy platform sandals dominated most of the looks, there were also quite a few flat options available – to which Zoe admittedly said if she was much taller she would wear flats all the time.  Handbags were clean classic shapes and colors that looked like they would last for years to come.

Overall very beautiful and definitely commercial collection that I think many a modern woman will be craving once it hits stores.