Deal: Up to 80% 90% off merchandise from designers like 3.1 Phillip Lim, DVF, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rag and Bone, Shipley & Halmos, and more.
Where: 430 W 14th St at Washington Street
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"We always call Resort La Petite Valise," Diane von Furstenberg said prior to showing a flying-down-to-Rio Resort collection full of cheerful prints on sheer draped chiffons, paper leather dresses in neon brights, and pinup-style bathing suits. Hemlines ranged from mini to garden-party length, and almost everything but the cartoonish bow-tied turbans looked like it could be folded and put in a carry-on—or a FedEx box—and be in samba-ready condition upon arrival. In other words, this was DVF in characteristically upbeat mood, recession or no. "I'm always conscious of the economy. My prices are always good," she said, but she added, "No one really needs anything; the point of Resort is to evoke emotion."
Sober and serious is one way to respond to the dismal economic outlook, but it's not the Diane Von Furstenberg way. Let other designers lay on the black; she dubbed her Fall collection "Nomad," and sent out a melting pot's worth of fabrics, embroideries, and patterns—from leopards to camouflages to tapestry prints. Von Furstenberg is betting that in "times like these," what a girl really wants is a little pizzazz. But comfort counts, too, so accompanying almost all of her wrap dresses, sacks, bubbles, and tunic-miniskirt combos were generous, slouchy cardigans or cocoon coats, as well as knit tights or leggings—some in leather, others in prints that should come in at a very nice price point. Oh, and don't forget the pompom-covered knit hats. Come evening, though, von Furstenberg left cozy behind, and moved into full-on glamour mode, channeling her own Studio 54 days with the show's closing number, a metallic ombré liquid jersey gown, which appeared on the runway as Diana Ross' hit "Upside Down" played on the soundtrack. The ageless diva was in the audience and gave von Furstenberg a big hug as the designer made her victory lap.