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NEW YORK (AP) - A skirt with high slits of sheer lace. A crystal-embedded cropped top over a brushed cotton pencil skirt. A pair of super-wide bell-bottoms. A crisp coat of copper satin.
The young designer Wes Gordon wants to give women clothes that stand out, but also fit in _ into their wardrobe, that is.
"I wanted to make pieces that are easily integrated into someone's life -- but are still special," Gordon said backstage Tuesday after his spring preview. "I don't think those two things are mutually exclusive."
Gordon's looks ranged from casual, as in a simple cropped, black long-sleeved top over skinny, high-waisted black pants _ to the more flashy, as in a halter top made with "metallic lattice embroidery," embedded with light rose Swarovski crystals.
For this collection, which drew the "Mad Men" actress Christina Hendricks to a Chelsea gallery space, the 27-year-old designer (he looks even more youthful than that) said he had rejected the idea of a graphic print, and sought instead to explore textiles and embellishments.
"I wanted to use embellishments to keep that idea of luxury in the collection, but also make it modern and fresh," he said.
Two of his best looks _ and his own favorites, as well _ had no need of embellishment: Crisp, roomy coats, one in a clean white crepe and one in a yummy copper satin.
There were also wide bell-bottom "sail" pants in a bright white, paired with a racerback tank. The ensemble was completed with a white satin tie-front cropped jacket. But for outerwear, we'll take one of those luscious long Gordon coats, any day.
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