Seconds before Diane von Furstenberg would have come out for her bow, with the models taking their final lap around her crowded West 12th Street studio and show space, a rack of stage lights fell from the ceiling. The Daily Telegraph's Hilary Alexander was hurt, as were several other editors and publicists, and many in the audience were badly shaken. The accident put a frightening stop to what was a strong outing for the designer.
In her program notes, von Furstenberg said she was inspired by Rome, but the collection looked more like a tour through her own glamorous closets, if she had archived everything from her three decades in the international spotlight. First out was a cotton shirtdress in an oversize twig design. The black-and-white print was one of many bold botanicals, palm trees and giant kelp included. There wasn't a shrinking violet in sight. Wrap dresses came in solid, slinky jerseys perfectly suited for a twirl at Studio 54, while floor-length evening gowns were generously beaded. There was plenty of sportswear—bermudas, full Bianca trousers, and slim skirts—in the mix. Among the many jackets, a denim style with topstitching looked fresh. But if you want glam, Diane did that too, in the form of several smart little toppers in Lurex.
