September 5, 2007

Laura Poretzky’s simple, ultra-feminine pieces for spring 2008 could easily be worn out of the Bryant Park tents onto the streets of New York. Crisp dresses color-blocked in nude, peach, teal, and black and adorned with long, delicate pleats shifted away from the trapeze and bubble shapes of past seasons to create a leaner, more practical silhouette. An undercurrent of ‘40s and ‘50s flair emerged through Katherine Hepburn-style wide-leg trousers, belted high-waist skirts, and ruched one-piece bathing suits worn with headscarves. Poretzky cleverly avoided retro overkill by adding thick, black zippers and sky-high slits to the sides of her dresses. Though Abaeté is unlikely to revolutionize fashion, Poretzky deserves praise for designing a cohesive, flattering collection that expertly straddles the line between mundane and trendy.