story by Lisa Radano
photos by udor
“What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?” asked Titiana in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For Spring 2013, Mssrs. Badgley and Mishka gave us forty angels, faeries, and princesses in this show inspired by the pastoral frivolity of Shakespeare’s play. The fabulous English model Erin O’Connor commenced the enchantment, strutting languidly down the runway in a blush crepe jumpsuit, one of the few pants looks, and surely one of the least embellished. What followed was a charming range of pretty knee length dresses and skirts in brocade, chiffon, lace and organza, shot with gold and silver, several with the duos’ signature sweetheart neckline.
Fluttery sleeves of chiffon or tulle gave the feeling of wings to clean cut sheaths. Even the leather and tweed jackets glistened and sparkled, and nearly all the colors were nude tones and pale pastels. Flowers, petals and leaves were embroidered or stitched into simple necklines to beguiling effect. One large flower in organza became a bustier that was used for both a dress and a gown. Things really got sparkly in the passage of eveningwear, for which the designers are renowned. Chiffon goddess gowns were simple and flowing. Long lean columns were encrusted with twinkly jewels. Lace was dipped in gold and silver. Erin had the standout gown, a blush sparkle lace with illusion panels that gave the feeling of a Faerie Queen rising naked out of a magical lake. A pale blue baby-doll with a tiny, glittering bodice came next – something for the princesses of the forest.
“If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumbered here. While these visions did appear.” Thus the Badgley Mischka vision endures – never offensive, always a dream.
