NEW YORK (Reuters) - Ralph Lauren capped a week of New York fashion shows on Thursday with a collection that mixed and matched a desert-inspired palette with fluid silks and glistening beads in what one observer praised as "safari goes glam."
The veteran U.S. designer paired casual with elegant styles and utilitarian looks with evening wear for spring 2015. Gowns sported bush-style pockets and cotton canvas jackets overlaid elaborately beaded tops.
"It's exactly what Ralph does best," said Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar, following the fashion show in downtown Manhattan. "The khaki and safari with brights looked very modern. It told a very romantic story."
Lauren showed sage green cargo pants and rich beige jodhpurs in shiny satins and silks. Mossy olive was set off by deep amethyst and vivid poppy.
A washed cotton safari shirt with epaulettes topped a floor-length ivory skirt. Sweeping tulle gowns were cinched with wide skin belts.
Dusty tones mixed easily with shimmering fabrics. A full gown in sage green came in a slouchy taffeta, belted with front pockets and rolled-up sleeves.
"He took that color olive drab right into evening," said Andre Leon Talley, a former Vogue editor who is now artistic director at Zappos Couture, an online shopping site. "It's safari goes glam.
"It's for today's woman who wants to take pieces and jazz up her wardrobe," he said.
Hundreds of designers have shown their spring 2015 collections in recent days in New York.
Fashion Week comes around every six months, followed by weeks of fashion shows in London, Paris and Milan.
(Editing by Bill Trott)