Cherries in the Snow

It was once the name of a Revlon lipstick worn for ballet performances. We were struck this week while updating the arrangement of collections at debut that the idea of this moniker applies to fashion in a new way: it is freezing outside, yet pink, fantastical concoctions still work this time of year. Think of The Nutcracker’s Dew Drop or Sugarplum Fairy – ladies who wear the frothiest, sparkliest of costumes with aplomb. It’s time to shed the black and Barbour jackets for a few weeks of parties…

If Dew Drop were to step out of her conjured universe, and into the New York social whirl, she might look to Elisa Palomino for her wardrobe. Palomino has been on a swift ascent following her debut collection presented during New York’s Fall 2010 Fashion Week. She is a nominee for Franca Sozzani’s “Who Is On Next”, yet possesses a deeply integrated and pertinent body of work, from Moschino to John Galliano, Christian Dior Haute Couture, Roberto Cavalli and finally Diane von Furstenberg. There is no shortage of whimsy, creative forces or technique in her repertoire.

 A cherry-picked group of Palomino’s pieces hangs at debut, including a fuchsia velvet mini dress – Twiggy might have worn this with sweet ballet flats – a snowy hand-knit shaggy sweater, and the loveliest chiffon layered gown we’ve seen off the runways as of late. We’re feeling the romantic pull of this long and bare look, anchored by warm knits, or a sporty vest (Palomino’s is fitted, shell-pink, and hand-painted with white flowers). Perfect with rugged heeled boots at a dinner beneath a glowing antler chandelier, and the mistletoe.