Cynthia Rowley Spring 2014

When a collection is surrounded by paper streamers hanging from the chandeliers you know you’re in for a good time. Or at least you know that’s what the designer intended. Fortunately, designer Cynthia Rowley delivered on the fun.

Images displayed on the program distributed at the presentation were a roadmap to the collection and Rowley’s sources for inspiration. The influences included crashing waves, a rainbow, Hawaiian leis, a large retro-looking floral pattern and a Rob Pruitt piece in his signature neon that read, “when life gives you lemonade, add vodka.”

Clearly, Rowley was in a mood to send her fans off to party Hawaiian style.

The surprise was that there were indeed surprises and clever touches that invited a second and third glance, one of the advantages of a presentation compared to a traditional runway show.

So yes, there were dresses decorated with lei’s, lovely and fresh and colorfully tropical. Skirts and tops in black, white and pink silk were festooned with a large floral pattern, though even here the size of the pattern and the contrasting colors provided a fun twist and a few unexpected moments.

But, who would have guessed at the floral turning up as a big pop art design on a neoprene top? And Rowley wowed when she turned the rainbow motif into a series of pieces in black, white and navy with sheer stripes.

There were a few pieces that didn’t seem to quite fit the collection, such as a pink cocktail dress with a gigantic bow at the neck. But, overall this was a collection that was a cohesive vision of chic good times.

—Karyn D. Collins