The DKNY presentation held at the Breslin Bar in the hip Ace Hotel, New York City was quite an event. Not your typical runway show as the room was thick with models sitting on couches, posing, socializing and even noshing on fancy silver-plated hors d’œuvres. While anyone lurves the spectacle of a runway show, a well planned presentation can be equally exciting for the increased level of interaction. The room was divided by velvet ropes into three scenes. The first was very classic with black carpet, black leather couches and dim lighting. The scenery complimented the deep tones of the double-breasted suits, leather bomber jackets, black cotton slim trousers and polished combat boots. The second scene was lightened by softer tones and pops of color as shades of gray and navy served as the foundation with accents of fluorescent orange, blue, olive, burgundy and aubergine shoe laces and skinny ties. Pants suits and striped pullover sweaters were done in contrasting colors and some classic pieces like the trench coat and a surprisingly stunning poncho in this scene didn't go unremarked. The last lineup featured the pure DKNY collection which was the most casual of the three, where rugged really made a statement. Khakis were paired with sweatshirts worn beneath suit jackets and fur-trimmed parkas, bubble vests and corduroy trousers mixed with cotton hoodies and canvas jackets. Clear themes running through the entire collection included the noticeably slim silhouette, skinny pants tucked into wool socks and thick-lug hiking/combat boots. Donna Karan described the collection saying "the clothes are built different : innovative fabrics and inventive construction, active sport elements and easy to live with fabrics redefine the lifestyle for the man on the move". Citing a "rugged modern" theme, the line was filled with modern updates on classic sportswear with all the innovative trappings you'd expect from DKNY. Bonded water-resistant fabrics, rubber finishes, and magnetic closures were added to the label's timeless favorites while a natty trim proportion and clever styling gave the looks a gentle ease. And while tucking the pant leg into the chunky sock has become one of this season's biggest styling tricks, here it only added the over-all effect that was cool, confident, sharp and above all, refreshingly simple.
