26 Sep 2010, Posted by admin in Fashion,Previews, 0 Comments

badgley mischka sends out a scatter-brained collection for spring 2011

Oh Mr. Badgley and Mr. Mischka, why do you seem scatter-brained? Are thoughts of spring pollen fogging up your design process?

This New York fashion week the label Badgley Mischka (designed by business and romantic partners Mark Badgley and James Mischka) was all about florals but unfortunately not as innovative and inspiring as I had hoped and expected. Yes every gown had lines and contours that would make most women coo, but that has come to be a given for the line. Aside from a few moments where beautiful embroidery reigned, the collection was one big yawn and sometimes even confusing. One moment I thought the collection had a 1970s inspiration, another moment I was convinced it was exploring the 1920s era with georgette dresses fit for a Gatsby gala, and then a minimalist modern look would come down the runway and prove me wrong again.

I learned from the run of show that the inspiration came from White Mischief, a film about a famous 1940s murder case involving British aristocrats residing in colonial Kenya, staring Greta Scacchi. Even after learning this was the basis of the collection, I was still not convinced that the concept was successfully portrayed. Sure 1970s looks and minimalism a la Celine are the all the rage for spring ’11, but under the Badgley Mischka hand it all felt forced. Furthermore, the poor color palette of pastels, deep-rose magenta and coral felt extremely safe and borderline careless. Ironically the show’s white moments were its most exciting. As for the daywear in the collection, I simply have no comment (read into this as you will). Hopefully, next time the Badgley Mischka duo will take some Claritin Clear before designing their collection.

–Sara Pashmforoosh