Paula Hian: Lights Your Fire
By Heide Winkenwerder
Photo by Javier Mateo

NEW YORK, Feb 12, 2004/ FW/ --- Inspired by the works of artists Jean Dubuffet, Ellsworth Kelly and Mark Rothko, Paula Hian’s Fall 2004 collection featured an abundance of geometric and painterly abstract designs that are both very sexy and colorful to the eyes.

The initial music, “Light My Fire,” was very fitting background tune for the first part of the show with the models wearing yellow.

A yellow sleeveless T in silk double georgette over an abstract slim skirt in blue tweeds, with a yellow wool jersey trim; a yellow abstract party dress made of jersey matched with a blue tweed; and a yellow wool jersey strapless palazzo jumpsuit; and yellow sequined silk georgette coat dress --- all of them are head turners in their own right.

Elizabeth Ross of the “West Wing” who sat front row was one of the first to see what Paula Hian proposes for Fall 2004 – a bevy of day and evening dresses in multi-color abstract jerseys.

Standouts in the show (which happens to be one of my favorites) include the hooded dress in navy/crème of striped of wool jersey with navy trim.

There was a 1960s and 1970s feel to the collection, giving it a hint of nostalgia for the good ‘ole days.

Strong point in this collection --- these are easy to wear clothes and most of all, very pleasing to the eyes.