Cheryl Shops

Quick, grab the closest girl to you and ask her if she likes Rebecca Taylor. She said yes, right? There's something so feminine and yet not syrupy-sweet about her clothes that appeals to so many women; what's interesting to me is how she takes on current trends and makes them her own. Her spring collection injected pale neutrals with bold shocks of citrus colors, a combination you'll hear me mention frequently over the next week, and yet she wove in signature motifs like patchwork, floral prints, and sequins. I was particularly fond of the tuxedo pants and shorts—mercifully knee-length and thus actually wearable—especially when contrasted with lace details, and speaking of contrast, the sporty-jacket-with-girly-dress thing is alive and well at Rebecca Taylor, and, hey, if it ain't broke... You always hear about designers wanting to achieve the perfect balance of feminine and masculine, and while there's nothing revolutionary about the way Rebecca Taylor achieves it, she certainly gets it right.