Rachel Roy looked at the vivid, graphic works of Cuban avant-garde painter Amelia Peláez for her Resort collection. "I thought about what she would have worn during the mid-twentieth century to be taken seriously," the designer explained. "And striking the right balance between femininity and masculinity is something that women still struggle with today."
Menswear elements came in the form of bright orange silk palazzo pants and high-waisted flared-leg trousers. Ladylike silhouettes included A-line frocks that breezily skimmed the hips, and a gold sequined tank dress Roy advocated as daywear. The latter might have been unthinkable back in Peláez's fifties heyday, but it's perfectly suited to the modern woman—Michelle Obama included. Remember, the designer counts the First Lady in her growing fan base.
