New York Fashion Week: Phillip Lim

Geometry and activewear were the starting points for Phillip Lim's spring collection, inspired by the freedom of kites.

The silhouettes were loose, the fabrics weightless, and many items were multi-functional. (It's great to see a designer really thinking about how clothes are used.)

For example, Lim came up with an ingenious design for trousers with two-way zippers down the sides that can be adjusted depending on how loose you want the legs to be, and how much of the underlying tuxedo stripe you want to reveal.

Anoraks and lightweight coats came with removable hoods and sleeves.

Color-blocked tops featured folded "kite wings" in the front, floating "kite tails" trailing behind, or "kite string" straps.

What it all added up to was a fresh take on fashion's minimalism moment.

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-- Booth Moore in New York

Photos: Looks from the Phillip Lim spring 2012 runway collection shown during New York Fashion Week. Credits: Jason DeCrow / Associated Press; Chelsea Lauren /Getty Images