While Andrea Lieberman usually does clean, contemporary American sportswear, this season found her tapping into a more feminine mood. Loosely inspired by Italian cinema of the '60s, the A.L.C. designer showed flouncy long-sleeve frocks that conveyed modern romance in vibrant florals. Similarly, cropped bustier tops looked pretty paired with full, yoked skirts that would twirl beautifully on the dance floor. In general, Lieberman moved in a bolder direction with her energetic use of color and print here. Signature crepe biker jackets and lace sweatshirts popped in an electric tangelo hue. Compact striped knits and silk separates splashed with a playful "happy pill" print added a touch of whimsy to the collection.
Spring captured A.L.C.'s ladylike side, but everything still felt grounded in a tomboyish sensibility. Relaxed trousers and long shorts mixed nicely with crisp shirting; several tops featured cool details in back. "We're still very much in a poplin phrase," said Lieberman, who also impressed with a handful of terrifically tailored jumpsuits—a strapless draped number, in particular, stood out. "At the end of the day," she said, "our ultimate goal is to define a woman's wardrobe."
