ODE TO THE NEW YORK CITY GIRL

Long before Michelle Obama rocked her sleeveless, fit-and-flare looks, Tracy Reese was a massively, popular, hugely successful designer whose shows everyone in New York fought to see during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  Fabulous, feminine fashion created with beautiful patterns on the finest textiles was her trademark, and the NY girls loved her.  We still do.

This season, she’s taken her inspiration from those very same New York City girls she designed for back in the late 80’s, when the city was a far freer and, arguably, far more fun town.

That famous fit is still there, as are the patterns, but this season the models rocked the runway with a decided punk feel.  Embossed leathers and metallics added an edge to the looks, making them more “rock chick” than “girly girl.”

Mix-and-match plaids and stripes, florals and paisleys, sequined tops and dresses and a plethora of animal prints made this collection in turn fun, sexy and feminine in a way very few designers could pull off.

As it’s fall, outwear featured prominently in the collection, gorgeous coats in sleek wools and, in one case, that fun animal print.

But Reese purists, don’t dismay.  There were enough of her signature looks, including a beautiful black lace overlay dress, to keep us all happy.  It was just nice to see the other side of Tracy Reese, the club-kid that was, pay homage to the city that is her home, and the girls who live here and continue to evolve, as she has.

Photography: Anton Brookes