NYFW: Sally LaPointe Spring 2012

A must on my NYFW calendar since her debut in Spring 2011 is the ever-talented Sally LaPointe who has been so critically lauded and landed on just about every “designer-to-watch” list around this season.  I arrived and Center 548 via freight elevator from the seat and was greeted by a large spacious room that included lit doorways with chandeliers hanging in the background.

The 27-year old NYC based designer has talent to spare and her Spring 2012 collection was a marked departure from some of her past season offerings that were darker, sharper and outer-worldly.  This season brought out an evolution in design with a softer, more romantic approach.  The resulting effect is ethereal and dreamy – soft pinks, the palest of seafoam green and acid yellow become almost soothing amongst the metallic tones. 

As always the models look impossibly tall in their platform shoes and strong architectural shoulders create an almost modern day armor – the tailoring strength that sets her apart from other designers. But in contrast to the tailoring, this season there is a femininity in the sheer flowing skirts, the soft flounced cascades/peplums and the floaty tops that seem to just skim the body. Skirt lengths shown are either a mini or a maxi with nothing in between. This collection exudes power and with that comes the sexy factor but I appreciate that it is not overtly sexy as most of the necklines are pretty high and most of the pieces are quite covered up. LaPointe also serves bare midriff done right – only exposing the flattering upper portion of the midriff and pairing it with a high-waisted bottom.

LaPointe’s inspiration behind the collection was actually found from an abandoned smallpox hospital on Roosevelt Island. “It’s about a haunting romanticism and the idea of walking into a space and feeling the presence that inhabited it previously.”

I think the final result was a success as the collection was indeed hauntingly beautiful, modern and romantic in the same breath. This collection really helps establish LaPointe as more than just a one-trick pony and show us another side of her design skills.