"We were just so sick and tired of winter," said James Mischka. "So over it," his partner, Mark Badgley, concurred. To cure the cold-weather blues, the duo booked a trip to Tahiti and Bora Bora, and designed Badgley Mischka Resort with visions of French Polynesia in their heads.
The inspiration went a long way. A silk and wool shift was done in a lush tropical print, which showed up again on a V-neck slip. An ivory racer-back gown was distinctly embroidered with beaded hibiscus flowers, as was the neckline of a marigold and lemon tweed dress. The designers have made jewelry out of druzy agate in the past, but this season they used the stone as a fabric adornment. The bustline of a slinky white-sequined number was decorated with chunky gems, as was the top of an aqua and gold tweed column gown. A black tulle minidress was embroidered with a lush "jungle" design, offering a youthful take on formal dressing. But Badgley Mischka's signature ruffled skirts were nowhere to be seen. Indeed, the season's effort was meant to feel streamlined. "More sleek," said Mischka. While the frills might've been missing, the lemon-colored ball gown, made of brocade organza, provided just enough froth.
