There were questions about the future of Catherine Malandrino's business when she skipped out on Spring fashion week, but after inking a deal with Elie Tahari, the designer swung back at naysayers this week, showing a spirited collection for pre-fall. According to Malandrino, the new season is about "demure sensuality," which she evoked with delicate lace layered over slipdresses in contrasting colors, the demure part of the equation owing to the overlays' prim turtlenecks and long sleeves. Her evening gowns popped in a range of jewel tones, but she also made a new push into separates, with sharp peacoats and alpaca "bathrobe" wrappers. If she herself were getting ready for a night out, she told us she'd take the tuxedo-inspired jumpsuit here and wear a super-fitted baby T-shirt underneath to give the look a casual, youthful edge. And there are few more fun ideas where that came from: Malandrino promised she'd be back on the calendar in February with a Fall presentation.
