Christian Siriano's Spring Collection Is All Sweetness and Light

By Izzy Grinspan Sep 9, 2012, 3:00pm EDT

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As soon as the first polka-dotted peplum jacket hit the runway yesterday, it became clear that Christian Siriano has moved on from last season's vampire queens. His vision of spring 2013 is inspired by ballerinas—not the Black Swan variety, but the pastel-clad innocents of Degas.

In its most literal form, that translated to three models in feathered gowns—one blush, one mauve, one baby blue—floating down the catwalk as a matched set. Interpreted more broadly, it also meant day dresses in gentle watercolor prints, silky pajama-like pantsuits, and cropped motorcycle jackets in the palest pastel leather. All of these were highly wearable, which makes sense given that Siriano is currently trying to create a reputation for himself as a sportswear designer.

Still, the guy has a gift for drama, and as the show went on, the dresses got frothier and fancier, even as they maintained that baby's-breath palette. The shoes also demanded attention: as usual, they were designed by Siriano for Payless, and as usual, they were wildly feminine—even the oxfords, which came in a very ladylike metallic pink.