LOS ANGELES, Sep 22, 2005/ FW/ --- In another Texas moment during the New York Spring 2006 season, Austin-based designer Cat Swanson took inspiration from the romantic Mediterranean turning its silvery and bluish hues into soft feminine silhouettes.

Creating volume with layering and draping, and putting them in cocktail dresses and floor-length skirts that swish and flurries while the model walks reminds one of the soft waves of the Mediterranean at the South of France.

Daywear consisted mostly of walking shorts and low-waist relaxed fitting pants, with a 3-inch sash used as a belt. Empire dresses with spaghetti straps round up the collection.

Swanson who trained under London-based designer Arkadius learned a lot from her mentor in using artistic shapes in creating modern silhouettes.

Although she does not have the edgy and avant-garde qualities that Arkadius’ collections usually have, Cat Swanson’s strength lies on her saner take on the female form.

And thank goodness that she has not taken up ‘wearable art.’ Though it may look good on the runway, ‘wearable art’ does not ring up cash registers.

The Cat Swanson label is carried in high-end boutiques nationwide, another kudos for this emerging designer who has converged artistry and wearability in her collections.

Cat Swanson

Cat Swanson

Cat Swanson

Cat Swanson