Lights all a-glow

As we started to pack up for the festivities to come in the days following, our eyes kept catching on a new glint in our jewel cases: Orly Genger by Jaclyn Mayer’s spring-inducing collection of hand-woven neon jewelry.

The collection rendered by Mayer and inspired by artist, Genger’s rope-like sculptures, is a true collaboration, and representative of the creative cores of both designers. Genger’s work is at once simple and monumental, challenging the eye and space it occupies. Mayer is joyful in her approach, and capable of hard and soft – as evident in the splashy colors of rope, intertwined with gleaming dark chains.

The collection has been adapted to the runway work of designer Victoria Bartlett of VPL, and Lela Rose – arguably opposite ends of the ready-to-wear spectrum, and has instant tactile and visual appeal. Wonderfully vibrant statement necklaces will anchor floaty frocks come spring break. In the interim, thick bracelets that are light as a feather stand in for an updated, season-less take on the classic Nantucket rope bracelet. The new film, TRON comes to mind with slick silver, deep blues and pops of orange and yellow – buy now, wear now, and wear later!

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.