New York Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2011: DVF’s frontier disco party

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Diane von Furstenberg threw herself a frontier disco party, outfitting her runway with mirrored poles and turning up the beat. The theme was ‘American Legends’ (DVF herself is certainly one), and the influences ran the gamut from the Southwest to 1970s glam, accessorized with Old West flattop hats and round sunglasses.

It wasn’t wrap dresses but gaucho pants that took center stage. And they actually looked pretty great, with tall suede boots with fringe running down the back. (Those boots are going on my fall shopping list for sure.)

The other key piece was the knee-length skirt, also worn with said boots. One version came in plum crepe, slit high on the side, topped with an oversized pomegranate-colored crepe tunic top over a black turtleneck. The look was one of several to suggest a new pared-down but colorful approach to dressing.

The wrap dress was almost entirely absent (save for the final look, a black sequin wrap gown). Instead, she showed a black-and-cream ‘hearts trail’ print peasant dress, and a breezy blue-and-gold polka dot chiffon sleeveless gown.

But this was a collection about separates more than anything else. And if anyone can get women in gauchos, DVF can.

-- Booth Moore in New York