Each of the 24 looks in the Alexandre Herchcovitch collection was followed down the runway by a musician or musicians: an accordionist, a human beat box, an opera singer, a banjo player, a fiddle-horn duo. "Each outfit has its own serenade," Herchcovitch explained backstage, but when you put all those sounds together, you ended up with cacophony.
Luckily, the heavily layered and ruffled show was easier on the eyes than the ears—despite the designer's claim that "the mix of sounds equates to the fashion mix." The pairings—a frilly chiffon blouse with a voluminous back-bustled houndstooth skirt, or a pastel camouflage-print eyelet jacket with knickers—were generally both challenging and charming, if sometimes over the top. And many of the pieces, like a full-backed trench in a warp-print floral, would stand well on their own.
The finale dresses, of cut-out latex (one of Herchcovitch's favorite materials) in rustic patterns, were as light and sweet as meringues.
