Diane Von Furstenberg‘s Spring 2012 show, titled Beginnings, was all about that clean slate–that tabula rasa–that comes with spring; the new year and the season for, well, beginnings.

It’s perhaps no coincidence that Furstenberg was slated to show on 9/11′s 10th anniversary. Diane herself finished the show to Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” (the chorus is: “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day”) and handed out mini American flags to the audience, underlining the hopeful start of a new season, not just for DVF but for America.

Furstenberg perfectly conceptualized that feeling of hope–again, that tabula rasa–by beginning her show with a series of all-white looks, something we’ve been seeing a lot of this season. Paired with slightly messy beehives on the models, the ensembles were equal parts modern and classic ladylike. By the sixth look, Furstenberg introduced a hint of color–a bright turquoise detail at the neckline of a dress–but by the 20th look the runway was awash in color, from bright poppy prints to a bold, cobalt blue dress. The mega-watt brights gave way to pretty pastels and more muted prints, bringing the collection back to its hopeful, blank slate beginning–not, however, without some added sparkle. A bejeweled shirt particularly caught our eye, while the second to last dress, a pale gown covered in applique flowers, seemed to sum up the collection’s optimistic slant for springtime.

**All images: Imaxtree