Today at Kate, you can reach across the runway and Shake the hand of the person opposite you. Approach like this and the models zip past, but if you pay attention you won’t miss anything. Since designer Catherine Holstein focuses on the little details that turn everyday clothing and accessories into on-trend items, it’s a useful setup to better see – and capture – now running for this week’s shoes.
Khaite is now one of New York’s must-see brands. Celebrities scrambled for seats, and if my Instagram feed was anything to see, editors were eager to buy and wear it. Holstein knew her audience. “That independent, New York, strong, secretive woman — that’s who I’m going to design for her,” she said backstage.
For the spring she sent her a dependable mix of sequins and silk tassels, leather and denim. Because she’s watching a David Lynch 1990 movie, especially Wild Heart, has Lots of python printing. Nicolas Cage’s character wears a python leather jacket in the film; Holstein printed the pattern on leather for exaggerated bomber jackets and pencil skirts, and silk-charmeuse for baggy peasant dresses. Granted, a small python goes a long way. Another novelty here is the bubble skirt (the trending piece of the week). Their horsehair-reinforced waistband sits at the top of the hipbone beneath everything from mesh bodice to crystal-embroidered shirts. The low waistline brings a cool attitude to these outfits—sophisticated but not pretentious.
Because Holstein designs for herself and for women like her, she has attitude aspect nails, but that’s not to diminish her proportions Or the attention to the strict lines of tailoring. A sturdy, slim-shouldered jacket with crystal-studded lapels is attractive. Next fall you’ll see it paired with a collared silk shirt, jeans, and those little sandals.
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