Last year, Douglas Hannant staged a runway show on the flight deck of the Intrepid to present his nautical-themed Resort '12 collection. Instead of doing another high-production event, the designer kept the focus on the clothing this time around. Hannant studied to be a fine artist before he entered fashion, and he used his own Monet-inspired watercolor paintings as the starting point for the new lineup. They appeared as digital prints and informed the mostly blue and green color palette. Resort season is no longer just for jet-setters who need caftans and bathing suits to fill St. Bart's-bound vacation trunks, but Hannant's collection hews closer to that traditional notion of cruise than those of other labels. His clients need outfits for charity luncheons, galas, and drink dates at the yacht club. For more formal events, there was an apron-tie taffeta ball skirt that parted down the center to reveal a sequined tank gown underneath, and a pair of shantung silk cargo pants that will definitely stand out in a crowd of strapless cocktail frocks.
