Spring '08 New York Fashion Week: Chaiken Makes a Transition

Sept. 7, 1 PM The Salon • CHAIKEN
Julie Chaiken went back to her roots for spring in the first Chaiken collection shown since the departure of longtime creative director Jeff Mahshie. Her timing couldn't be better as this season has sparked a new appreciation for the finer points of tailoring. She opened her show with a crisply tailored white suit, and followed with the clean lined sportswear that built her label topped by Patricia Underwood's lacy black sun hats. Chaiken kept the palette simple with black, white and neutrals sparked with Mediterranean blues and greens in prints called Santorini and Capri Breeze, which should give a hint to the season's inspiration. Fluid, tucked and pleated charmeuse dresses rounded out the evening options in a collection that should keep her customers happy while the collection develops its new voice.