Gregory Parkinson designs for the female focal point

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There’s a lot of social mileage to be had from a jaunt to India--especially in Los Angeles. Hasn’t someone always just returned from Mumbai or Jaipur with exotic stories and a new collection of saris? The designer Gregory Parkinson seems to cater to this woman -- a modern day Peggy Guggenheim who swooned at her first glimpse of the Taj Mahal. She’s smart, assured, laughs loud and knows how to tell a good story.

On Sunday night, Parkinson presented his Spring/Summer 2009 collection at the Honor Fraser gallery in Culver City. The installation--assorted mannequins in easy, confident poses--overtook almost half of the floor space. The prints, buoyant and reminiscent of Ossie Clark, were varied in design (florals, paisleys, stripes and Rothko-esques color blocks) and the shapes segued from billowing a-line silk skirts to blouses with balloon sleeves. Parkinson’s past seasonal offerings have included floral brocades and shifts with drop waists. His latest line looks more diaphanous and daring in the marriage of colors and textiles.

My only complaint? It would have been swell to see the new collection all a-swirl on guests like Rachel Griffiths (right, with the designer), Ione Skye, and Tracee Ellis Ross.-- Monica Corcoran

photos: WireImage