Fashion Week, Resort 2012 New York
Mulberry Spring/Summer 2012: Beside the Seaside
By Cheryl Wischhover
Mulberry’s DNA is 50% charm and 50% quirk and their resort RTW collection (called spring/summer by the label) didn’t disappoint in that regard. The collection, an homage to English beach culture, includes prints, rhinestones, fruit, and donkeys–plus those absolute necessities: tweed and a rain mac.
Donkey rides, as I learned at the Mulberry presentation, are a beloved beach tradition in England, and the lowly beasts feature on soft sweatshirts–including one for your four-legged friend. The prints, named Bonkers Beach and Stripy Straws, are the happiest things I’ve seen in ages. Bonkers Beach, a small colorful montage of beachy images, appears on loose tailored shorts and a shirtdress. Stripy Straws, based on a picture creative director Emma Hill took after she threw some straws on the ground, pop up everywhere–the print’s especially effective on scarves.
Tiny, colorful rhinestones were sprinkled liberally on everything from tops to dresses to faded pointy-toed denim pumps. And the fruit theme seen everywhere this spring seems to be continuing, albeit in a cheekier version at Mulberry. Happy pears and apples, often with stick-on googly eyes, frolic on tops, sweaters, and bikinis.
Lest we forget that Mulberry is first and foremost a leather goods company, the bags on offer are drool-worthy. I have a well-documented obsession with fuchsia, and the Candy Pink colorway featured across several lines caught my eye. For those who need a more neutral bag, a gorgeous Summer Khaki popped up everywhere, too.
There are even a few new styles: The Evelina group is a bit slouchy and understated. The Effie comes in a tote, satchel and hobo with the punched-out tree logo front and center. Other perennial faves, like the Lily and Alexa, are re-worked in rhinestones, quilted Candy Pink, and a big, textured snake print.
Click through some of our favorite looks:
Designer(s): Mulberry



















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