Before the first model hit the runway, Luisa Beccaria sent out her young daughter and son, along with two other beautiful little kids, to scatter rose petals. Whether or not you appreciated the flower children is a good indicator of how you might feel about the collection itself: For some, Beccaria's party dresses are the very essence of romance; for others, they're just too sweet. But there's no arguing that this was one of her most accomplished shows. It was cohesive, well-made (although she'll have to address the sheerness issue before retail), and utterly charming.
Flowers, it should be obvious, were the collection's main motif. They were printed in delicate, powdery bouquets on swirling natural cotton-muslin dresses and embroidered in pink on a white georgette gown. Ruffles were another theme. They trailed round and round the skirts of strapless tulle frocks in two-tone shades of pink or lilac. Silk mikado skirtsuits, again with ruffles tracing the lapels, provided a counterpoint to all that softness. The lineup was composed almost entirely of dresses, which made a chic pair of belted, high-waisted cropped pants, worn with an embroidered ivory blouse, all the more noticeable. It was a cool look—and even those who shun rose-colored glasses would be tempted.
