Paola Hernandez

Those familiar with Paola Hernandez know better than to cast off any of her collections as "just clothes"-- well-thought-out, highly intellectual concepts are the trademark of the Mexico native. Her Spring 2011 line, entitled "Dress Your Self," was of course no exception. Paola followed up her last collection with what she described as a series of basics that "draw attention to the subject wearing them." When she and I had last met, she had described her urge to create a collection that, when worn, would set the wearer apart from the crowd even when the viewer was walking behind them on a crowded street. And, to be sure, some of the items she showed on Tuesday night did include subtle but intriguing detailing on the reverse side. While black was overwhelmingly dominant, I'm certainly not complaining--the entire collection was chic and wearable, and I'm not embarrassed to say that I'm now pining for more than one of Paola's adorable outfits (can we talk about that cape?!).

When looking at Paola Hernandez’s newest collection, entitled "The Society Of The Spectacle," some things become immediately apparent: her knack for perfecting androgyny, her eye for old-world details, and her library-bound intellectual influence. There’s something else there, though, that you might not notice—Hernandez’s philosophy. And yet, it is infused in every piece she designs. I had the opportunity to meet with the designer in her studio, and as she walked me through the pieces I was stunned by how much attitude is hidden behind each detail—from a color choice to the logo to the way she styled her models’ hair (Einstein-inspired, if you must know).