NEW YORK, Sep 12, 2005/ FW/ --- Sending light and airy pieces that are deceptively simple in design yet full of sartorial details on the runway for Spring 2006, Carolina Herrera was true to her muse, the Wiener Werkstatte, (Vienna Workshop) an early 20th century crafts cooperative whose members were dedicated to good, functional design in everyday life.

Opening with a one-piece chocolate dress embellished with big pockets and white darts elongating the torso, Herrera set the tone of her collection – easy-to-wear and stylishly functional.

Separates dominated the daywear with shorts, skirts and tops that are easily exchangeable for mixing and matching. Earth tones were the main color palette, generously sprinkled with pinks and blues, a reference to the spring flowers found in the Austrian Alps.

In a playful mood, Herrera transformed the ‘milk maid’ costume into vests, an item that would surely become a ‘must have’ next March.

Lovely as the daywear were, it was Herrera’s eveningwear that took everyone’s breath away.

Focusing on the works of Austrian artist Dagobert Peche, the forgotten master of embellishment as her inspiration, Herrera made the phrase, ‘wearable art’ palatable!

Peter Schjeldahl of the New York Magazine described Peche’s art as “tensile linear and bold floral patterns were overlaid on glowing subtle colors, dissolving into deep radiance with the rhythmic play of the patterns becoming like visual music.”

His words can easily describe Carolina Herrera’s eveningwear as well!

Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera