Erin Featherston-Young At Heart

I wasn't that familiar with Erin Fetherston, I admit it. Then she launched a holiday collection for Target, and all of a sudden, baby doll dresses with large, Peter Pan collars were appearing on the most fashionable "it" girls in schools, everywhere.

But the Bryant Park runways are primarily for adults, and Ms. Fetherston's Fall 2008 collection, shown last night, was directed solely towards those "jeune filles." Innocent looking, fres-faced models with long, textured hair crowned with "wreaths" and hairbands of flowers and leaves marched down the runway looking like players in a Midsummer Nights Dream. The slightly ratty hair was crated by Lyndell Mannsfeld at Camila Lowther Management for GHD, the makeup, by NARS.

There were a few long, flowing gowns for evening, short in the front, billowing like flowered waves of chiffon scarf in the back. For the most part, however, the dresses were very short, subdued just a bit with colored tights (by Wolford) and flats b7 Giuseppe Zanotti, hat gave the models a confident stride down the runway.

The entire collection is what a "chic" college student (with means to buy fashion) would pick for her closet, from a few day dresses and pants outfits (and long long, black coat worn with a knitted cap) to pretty party dresses, maybe to wear to her first big evening event. A black sparkle tweed skirt suit with a black rose satchel had a micro-sized skirt, the glamour element created through metallic thread in the fabric. The black blazer and flippy skirt in this photo, is perfect for for office if you're young and eager.

All in all this collection will fail to satisfy the more adult fashionista, but the demure collection is very wearable and user-friendly. Girls, rejoice!

© 2008 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS®