The Best- Dress(ed) List From The Spring 2003 New York Shows - by Marilyn Kirschner (Now Up: The Fall 2003 NY Shows Ten Best Looks by Bernadine Morris) The Best- Dress(ed) List Why the dress? Because frankly, we have gone about as far as we can go with sportswear, it has completely inundated the market, and the way we dress, and unfortunately, too many options also make for the possibility of too many mistakes (look around at all the slobs out there) And, last but not least - I feel as if I see another pair of cargo pants (sat-in or otherwise)...I will scream. And what could be easier, and more modern than a dress? New York is known for sportswear, but what really shined this time were dresses, which were shown all over the New York's Spring 2003 Collections. The sheer variety was astounding - they went from day to night (and everything in between)...and they never looked better! It's a reason to actually go out and buy something.	September 30th, 2002
The shirtdress: The sportswear influence was exemplified by the glorification of the shirt this season: 1 - For day: Michael Kors' navy and white bias cut knee length polo dress (see above) and Michael Kors' white perforated leather short 'golf' dress. (All Photos by Randy Brooke. Click on image to see full size picture.)
2 - For night: Carolina Herrera's parrot green satin elongated shirt. (Also Oscar de la Renta's elongated white satin polo and Zac Posen's black chiffon ruffled short-sleeved ankle length shirtdress.) (Click on image to see full size picture.)
'Modern' Vintage: 1 - (who says vintage has to mean 'flea bitten' and old fashioned?) In a season where Courreges, Cardin, and Rabanne seemed to be all over, Behnaz did it best: Behnaz Sarafpour's short white canvas shift belted with gold disc belt. (Click on image to see full size picture.)
2 - And her two tie-dyed short colorful sunburst dresses. (Click on image to see full size picture.)
Lingerie Inspiration: (nobody will be able to tell you "pardon me, your slip is showing): 1 - Marc Jacobs' short lame lingerie slip dress. (Click on image to see full size picture.)
2 - Narciso Rodriguez's graphic and linear ivory/black short bra top slip dress. (Click on image to see full size picture.)
Trompe l'oeil: optical illusions: dresses that appear to be separates: 1 - Narciso Rodriguez's short ivory/black dress that looks like a bolero over tank top and skirt (Click on image to see full size picture.)
2 - Zac Posen's short dress that appears to be a bolero, top, and flippy skirt. (Click on image to see full size picture.)
'Prints' of the City: 1 - Donna Karan's short red and white satin 'Celebration' print bias cut bra top halter dress (Click on image to see full size picture.)
2 -Donna Karan's indigo and white large polka dot long satin halter dress. (Click on image to see full size picture.)
Satin: 1 - For day: Calvin Klein's satin bias cut slip dress under suede trench coat. (Click on image to see full size picture.)
2 - For night: Ralph Lauren's gold satin floor length bias cut halter gown. (Click on image to see full size picture.)
Fantasy Island: 1 - What would life be without a little frothy fantasy, after all? Oscar de la Renta's full skirted white tulle strapless gown with black embroidery. (Click on image to see full size picture.) - end Previous Market Report:'Toile' Away the Summer
Links to other current features: DFR: The Daily Fashion Report Click here to start the NY Fashion Broadband Video Report - May 16th, 2003 Edition (Real Player Only) Book Review: Bernadine Morris reviews Michael Gross' book on Ralph Lauren.