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In a Fashion Week where colorful collections have been the norm, most pale in comparison to Nanette Lepore's neon designs for Spring 2012. From the first look down the runway, a citron top with tangerine skirt, we were hooked. And those pink, orange and yellow rainbow sherbet surfer hues just kept on coming—in feminine, but never delicate, sportswear and vintage inspired bathing suits. Even the soles of the models' shoes were fluorescent yellow, a fun spoof on Louboutin. Our favorite pieces, however, were the two-layer dresses: a layer of pastel net lace over one of solid neon. They were unusual, striking and surprisingly pretty. The collection took Nanette Lepore's signature looks and pushed their limits with color.
The show was celeb filled, as the designer's shows always are. We spotted Lepore regulars Arianna Huffington, Kelly Rutherford, Carol Kane and Aida Turturro. Aida was seated in the family section and gushed to us that Nanette Lepore's clothes are, "Different, exciting and sexy." Famous guests whom we spotted making their first appearance at a Lepore show included our Boy Meets Girl show savior, Angela Simmons and former Project Runway designer Austin Scarlett, who told us, "I love the colors."
Just like last season, Lepore incorporated live music into the show. This time around it was the talented Sam Bisbee and his band, including two violinists and a cellist, performing on the runway behind the models. It could have been distracting, but instead just added to the festive mood. Continuing a much longer-running Lepore tradition, at the end of the show, Nanette took her finale accolades on the runway with her daughter Violet.
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· Nantte Lepore [Official Site]