"It's sort of boudoir in feeling," Karan explained. The palette was one of soft makeup colors: blushes, pinks, and nudes. These were worked into textural suits and alluring dresses that gently bubbled away from the body or showcased delicate embellishments and bows. Of the breathtakingly pretty sculptural draped gowns in jersey and silk, Karan simply said, "These are fabrics that talk. They tell you what they want to do and you just let them go." You could call it a freewheeling attitude."
Out first thought: Jesus, that's a lot of pink (but look how well it matches our background!). Our second thought: It kinda works, though. We like the irregular silhouettes and the luxuriousness of the collection. It's working a Kashou-y sense of draping that we like too.
Oh sure, some of the looks are just a bit too shapeless, but that's Donna's signature. For the most part, this is a fresh and girly collection with a bit of romanticism that surprises us coming from her.
In other words, we don't like every look, but we like enough of these looks to be surprised by our reaction.
[Photos: nymag.com - Slideshow: Project RunGay]
65 comments:
The Good n' Plenty pallate dominates anything good about the collection. All that pink is a little "Elle Woods" for me.
A Choo-choo Charlie color palette is a classic you can always return too. But the drapiness - not so much. Despite how much I dislike drapey (especially asymetrical drapey), I did find a few looks I liked here - particularly the bubble hem party dress and the one right above it.
But I still think Miss Donna is batshit crazy.
--GothamTomato
"toninkc said: The Good n' Plenty pallate"
Jinx!
--GothamTomato
I am not a 'pink' fan, but I liked the range of pink she choose.
I used the think the great thing about DKNY (which was the line I could afford) was the cut--very flattering the non-model figure. But from what I've seen of DKNY lately, and now looking at these from Donna Karen, I think that's changed. Its seems she's gone the direction of Eileen Fisher with boxy, shapeless designs that are meant to flatter the "mature" figure but in my opinion just look, well, boxy and shapeless. The first look you show is a perfect example of that, and I see many more throughout the collection.
It's very girly and feminine. I adore some of the looks. Apparently she was trying to blend "French mannerism and classiness of New York," that's why she called her collection "Bonjour New York."
I'm completely shocked and gobsmacked. Bravo! You boys like DK's collection! Nice points outlined in your review.
Me, I LOVELOVELOVE the entire collection. I covet each and every piece. Very smart, modern and a refreshing play on what's current in silhouettes. The color story is a little meh for my taste (if it were not resort, I could totally see it in black, slate, sand, gun metal, etc.). My favorite look is the pink suit with the portrait collar jacket and knee-length asymmetrical skirt with the drapery-esque side-bow. Sure, we all joke about how koo-koo Ms. Karan can be, but the woman must not be too far gone if she's able to put together an amazing collection like this one and apparently an amazing team of designers to come up with such a lovely group of designs.
- edina -
so tom in kc, are you saying that the collection is Legally Bland?
I didn't hate it, but I'm with bklyn bomber, it's boxy and shapeless. They might be good pieces for shoplifting in; lots of room to stash your pilfered goods. But I felt that some of the pieces looked designed to hide big thighs and fat butts. There's nothing wrong with having those or trying to hide them - but the designs shouldn't look like that's what they're trying to do.
"It's sort of boudoir in feeling," Karan explained...which is why, I guess, that Donna often looks like an unmade bed.
I didn't want to like this collection, and I loathe pink, but I am forced to admit that it really holds together as a collection. There's a consistent theme to both color and silhouette, and the colors work pretty well together.
You are right, boys! That's a LOT of pink!!!!!
Gorgeous collection!!!
Aww, I love all the pinks and pastels. Perfect for resort/cruise. Didn't know she had it in her.
Oh. Hmmm.....
I used to hate pink, but it's grown on me. My favorite actually is that bubblegum pink strapless dress. :D
Some of the other looks are ok, but otherwise they don't do much for me.
My favorite piece is the black fitted sleeveless blouse with the pink skirt with the hip drape.
I also like the skirt (or is it a sheath dress?) with the self fabric butterfly at the sweep. I would wear that, but not with the jacket( I would look like a demented librarian).
The shoes are kind of clunky. My grandmother used to worry about looking "old" when she wore shoes like those.
Nice collection. Let's hope Donna never chooses to wear any pieces from it.
My first reaction: Pepto Bismal meets Crayola's Nude. Yuck!
and if these dresses make those skinny ass models look hippy...what would i look like?
A real Hippo is what.
SisterZip
Pepto Bismol, anyone?
I can't take the pinkitude.
However, taking a moment to push the bile back down there are some pretty shapes here.
Oh Bill, I wish I'd seen your post before I posted so I could say thank you for the morning giggle.
But I will now - thanks!
gothamtomato, I forgot about Choo Choo Charlie!!
Once upon a time there was an engineer
Choo Choo Charlie was his name, we hear.
He had an engine and he sure had fun
He used Good & Plenty candy to make his train run.
Charlie says "Love my Good & Plenty!"
Charlie says "Really rings my bell!"
Charlie says "Love my Good & Plenty!"
Don't know any other candy that I love so well!
Bill, Legally Bland is right! Have you seen the heinous MTV reality show to cast the replacement? It's craptastic. Maybe DKNY can work out a cross promotion!
Bill, the odd thing about draping is that is doesn't hide big booty, it accentuates it. You then just have big booty with pleats stretched within an inch of their lives.
Some of the stuff is ok, but for the most part, I just get my midwestern size self to love yet another collection deisgned for mutantly tall prepubescent bodies.
Anyone want to take a guess why I'm not a fan of PPS's stuff...
As a person who could stand to lose more than a few lbs, I like the loose fitting clothes. I think Donna herself has gained a few (not that there's anything wrong with that!), judging by how she's wearing bedsheets out in public these days. This collection must be a reflection of that. Not crazy about the color palette though.
i actually like pink, so i'm ok with the color palette; i agree with tlo -- like some of the silhouettes, and not so much some of the others.
ditto sewing siren about the shoes -- those are some serious fug, especially with these lighter style dresses. i wouldn't wear any of them with anything....
thanks, bill for the laugh this morning----
I like the colors, though I cannot wear those very pale pastels. The silhouettes do nothing for me, however. And those shoes! Why do designers show light-weight, floaty clothes with clodhoppers? I'll never understand it, never.
Sorry, I have to disagree. Until we get to the evening looks, I think every one of the outfits make the models look very hippy, and in some cases, downright fat. I think they would look dreadful on real women.
The colors are kinda nice though. But not together.
My favorite is the one with the pink skirt and black top. I really love that one.
I have a big problem with all of the pear-shaped dresses. I've spent my whole adult life trying to not look like a pear.
Gorgeous collection and I love the inspiration.
Ugh.
These girls live on 3 lettuce leaves a day and cigarettes, and they look heavy, shapeless, and frankly sloppy in most of these outfits. Which would mean I'd look like the Miss Piggy balloon in the Macy's Parade if I wore them.
Thats a whole lotta pink. If I wasn't blinded by cotton candy, pepto and bubble gum I think I might like a few of these looks.
I really hate the bubble skirt thing that designers have been doing. Note - women hate that look!
I really like the collection. Much more wearable than many other designer collections you have had on your blog lately. But, at 5'2", age 63, and not as thin as I used to be, I could not wear many of these. Still love the collection.
This stuff is beautiful. Love the shapes, tone and sentiment.
I don't care if some might be unwearable for "real women". As objects this is beautiful. And, anyway, why not show some hip?
-- desertwind
PS -- it would be interesting to see how a curvy gal would look in these pieces. I think she'd look great.
-- d'wind
Tic-tac-toe anyone!? Any suggestions for the "O"??
I really like short dress #9 in the left column. Fresh, flattering lines.
Many of the long draped dresses look just like draped yardage, too much bunching.
I actually do like the colors though normally I'm not in the pink camp so much.
I totally agree with Bill too.
-MLL
I don't care for it at all. Anyone with 2 ounces of body fat or more would look like hell in any of them. These models look like amoebas.
I thought we were done with these damn bubble dresses. I am almost as sick of them as I am of the full-cut, maternity looking things that make even the stick figures look like they are about to domino at any given second. Count me out.
Some of you have no taste, this collection is gorgeous, besides, not every collection is for every woman out there.
LOVE. IT. what can i say i love pink.
As a collection, it's consistent.
But, as stuff to wear, this stuff would make big women look even bigger and kind of dumpy. As it is, it makes small women look like they're playing "dress up" in Mommy's clothes.
Bill, you kill me!
"Bill said: But I felt that some of the pieces looked designed to hide big thighs and fat butts."
But they wouldn't hide them. Those shapes accentuate them while tenting other parts of the body. You need to have skinny legs (and everything else) to wear styles like that or you end up looking like a pile of laundry.
--GothamTomato
Kanani said...
As a collection, it's consistent.
Yes, it is, the collection. is very consistent across each of its individual looks, color scheme, style, storyline...I love it.
Very pale comparing to previous collections. It also reminds me of Alexandra Vidal's spring collection.
I'm a tomboy I hate pink.
Donna Karan's clothes always look expensive, they have a real luxurious but practical look to them.
Not too crazy about the color palette but the pieces themselves are gorgeous. I saw MK's collection, I can't wait to hear what you guys think about it.
Why did she put all the models in orthopedic footwear? It was highly distracting and fug. And the floor length gowns were too much fabric and nothing else. There were a few glimmers in this collection for me, a few fitted tops and jackets, but that's about it.
I think I'm going to make a skirt with a great big origami butterfly at the sweep to honor this collection.
Donna is right. This fabric did talk to her and what it said was "Please make me into shapes that let you eat ice cream all summer and not care." Thank you, fabric. Please pass the chocolate chip mint.
I've found the best thing to hide big butts and large thighs is a table.
I'm a "normal" size 12, and the only thing I would or could wear from this entire collection is the pink coat (minus the elbow danglies).
No excitement or sighs here for this collection. Everything looks like pink and black lawn and leaf bags.
-----StkrShock
Pepto-abysmal.
I don't like this.
Choo-choo Charlie indeed!
From Funny Face
Think pink! think pink! when you shop for summer clothes.
Think pink! think pink! if you want that quel-que chose.
Red is dead, blue is through,
Green's obscene, brown's taboo.
And there is not the slightest excuse for plum or puce
—or chartreuse.
Think pink! forget that Dior says black and rust.
Think pink! who cares if the new look has no bust.
Now, I wouldn't presume to tell a woman
what a woman oughtta think,
But tell her if she's gotta think: think pink—!
(chorus)
—for bags! pink for shoes!
Razzle, dazzle and spread the news!
And pink's for the lady with joie de vive!
Pinks for all the family.
Try pink shampoo.
Pink toothpaste too.
Play in pink, all day in pink,
Pretty gay in pink.
Drive in pink, come alive in pink,
Have a dive in pink.
Go out dancing but just remember one thing:
You can get a little wink
If you got a little pink
In your swing.
I like the dress in row 6, right hand side.
Everything else looks too much like every other drape-y, baby doll-y, potato sack-y thing that is already saturating the market.
Bill, you're too fabu for words...!
Great collection! I love the slinky robe-like dresses. She's one of my favorite American designers.
Think pink! Think pink when you shop for summer clothes! Think pink! Think pink if you want that quelque chose!
I couldn't resist : ) Love you boys and Musical Mondays!
Terrible shoes and all those bows are a bit much. I like more of the later pieces than the earlier ones. But what's with the washed-out looking models? Some of the paler dresses would look fabulous on women of color but look like so much blah against the pasty pale mannequins.
Just for giggles, here's Kay Thompson in 'Think Pink!' One wonders if Ms. Karan's design charrette looked like this?
I have to say that I like it--
much better than what she has been wearing lately.
Pink actually can be a flattering color-- for years I avoided it like the plague. Lately I have found a couple of things that look good on me.
That seems to be the trend for resort 2009: loose, flowing frocks or shapeless sack dresses. You have to be real skinny to look good in them.
"Stubenville said...
Just for giggles, here's Kay Thompson in 'Think Pink!' One wonders if Ms. Karan's design charrette looked like this?"
LOL. Probably!
It's one of my favorite movies. Here's Tlo's hilarious commentary on the movie.
Those were some of the ugliest shoes I have ever seen, especially the black one, that really weighed the dresses down.
I am not too familiar with DK's work. Do the items make the models look fat, but average sized women look normal, because those models were looking plus sized in almost everything.
I did like the colors though. I guess pink is my signature color.
I really like the various pinks and the collection is cohesive and artistically interesting in a modern art kind of way. I agree the footwear is too heavy and the pear shaped dresses don't flatter even the skinny models. But take them off the girls, shrink and stuff'em and they'd be the cutest chic pincushions. For the next issue of Martha!
Overall, I like it! It's cute and feminine compared to her early black on black cutouts that she continues to wear.
What I don't like are the tent tops and jackets especially over bubble skirts.
It is resort wear so it's supposed to be a bit frothy and light.
Gosh I love every piece!
Great hue of pink with black.
Some fun shapes.
Some good looks for maternity wear, or for those of us who aren't stick skinny. There is certainly enough fabric to hide those "figure flaws", but come on!!
I love, love, love Donna Karan usually! This is SO not what I expected.
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