Lela Rose Spring 2016 NYFW Collection

Lela Rose’s spring collection was as bubbly as the designer herself – she even created a ceiling of hanging tulips above the runway. But sometimes all that effusiveness can be a bit overwhelming in clothes. This season, Rose offered a blazing palette, shimmering metallics, hand-cut floral appliqués, magnified floral prints and quirky details. In easy, unfettered shapes it all worked; in more elaborate silhouettes, it often did not.

Lela Rose did succeed in making “cute” an acceptable part of her lineup. She dressed up shorts, shaping them in a silver tweed with a matching fringed jacket or in a fluorescent yellow floral jacquard with a simple top. Her best-of-show looks: a deep coral polka-dot fil coup shirtdress, a citron gown with hand-cut floral appliqués and a charming nude organza jumper.