Lela Rose knows how to infuse her ladylike signature looks with lots of charm and verve. She did it for fall with her indigo shirtwaist and peplum dresses as well as a button-front version in a black-and-oxblood vine jacquard. Her devil-may-care streak was also evident in the way she played with color and texture combos — as in a pink, sheared mohair coat over a flared indigo speckled wool dress or pantsuit.
Rose showed some terrific sportswear, too, notably a moss wool turtleneck with a metallic, quill embroidered pencil skirt and a fawn cable pullover and brushed wool pants. And she saved her lightest touch for the collection’s gowns, giving them a younger-than-usual appeal. No easy task. Two of the best: the flowing, black-and-white optic organza ankle-grazer, and the navy-and-ice-blue embroidered silk gown with a shaped waist.