Oscar de la Renta’s ‘signature style’ wows at NY Fashion Week

The sixth day of New York Fashion Week saw the designers at Oscar de Renta take the company in a more casual direction while Carolina Herrera, found a stunning venue for her show

Denim makes appearance at Oscar De La Renta’s ‘Signature Style’ collection

There was a whiff of change at Oscar de la Renta, where new designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim presented a whimsical collection featuring casual garments like midriff-baring denim jackets and roomy windbreakers.

It also was what you would call a signature collection — literally. Many of the garments bore the signature, in various forms, of the label’s late, legendary founder, de la Renta — either in script, or even in large, sparkly letters spelling out his name.

The designers noted that the only time until now that de la Renta’s signature appeared on his clothes was on a gown that Sarah Jessica Parker wore to the Met Gala in 2014. It had been the actress’ idea to embroider his signature on the back.

The designers began their runway show with a series of looks with a paint splatter motif.

They were telling a story, they explained, of a woman trying to decide what to paint. Once she paints, she signs the canvas.

While dresses and skirts had a paint splatter effect, the theme even extended to the stiletto shoes: The heels looked like the stems of black paint brushes.

New techniques used by the label this year included laser-cut leather, Garcia said, along with the denim, part of an effort to expand the clientele and the appeal of the brand.

But there was something for the traditionalists, too: Toward the end of the show came the red carpet-ready gowns that define the brand’s image, like strapless gowns in tulle with full skirts and even a ruby-dyed mink coat.

Art in movement at Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera believes that fashion is “art in movement,” and so naturally one of her favorite places to show her clothes is in a museum - the sculpture garden at the Museum of Modern Art.

There was gingham, and lots of puffed sleeves, big shoulders, colorful polka-dots and waists cinched with oversized bows. Sequins reigned supreme.

“This collection is all about color,” Herrera said. “Color is very powerful and makes you think in a different way. Color makes you see things in different eyes.”

Herrera’s signature white blouse also made a runway appearance, this time with a deep V-neck, dramatic sleeves and a gingham wrap skirt.

But the designer eschewed her usual crisp white buttondown in favor of a black ensemble.