Mona Kowalska is known for her conceptual, crafty designs and for fall she exercised a study in “self management.” Backstage, before showing her A Détacher collection, Kowalska explained that she incorporated “everything I like: cowboy, biker and oversize.” While that sounds like quite the mash-up, the designer reined in her ideas and turned out a cohesive and directional collection.
Kowalska played with layers — knit skirts were worn over pants, sweater-dresses had little capelike overlays, and a turtleneck knit tunic was paired with a men’s wear-inspired suit. It could have been heavy and bulky, but in Kowalska’s hands it worked. For contrast, she added some sweet ruffled-sleeve dresses with a prairielike charm, while furry clogs, thick wooly socks and an oversize leather belt with a western feel complemented the spirit of the collection.