Twinkle by Wenlan Fall 2009
Where & When: Sunday, February 15th at 5 p.m., Classic Car Club of Manhattan
Runway Recap: For her Twinkle line, designer Wenlan Chia was inspired by a 1950s Audrey Hepburn for her fall show, and while the pre-Mad Men vibe was obvious with rich jewel tones, whimsical prints, and pleated skirts, I didn't quite see the gamine Hepburn effect. Not to worry--the collection meshed a retro influence with modern-day cool; Chia makes sweet clothes that tastefully straddle the line between girlish charm and womanly chic.
Standout Look: Chia is well-known among the knitting community for her patterns and yarns, so I was happy to find some chunky-knit sweaters in the collection. You don't normally see a slouchy, oversized sweater such as this with a prim pleated skirt, but the unexpected pairing works.
Bonus Points: I'm not going to go into the particulars of this show, which was a bit late to start and not the best in terms of organization. However, the free champagne and fancy chocolates made the wait much more tolerable.
Where to Buy: Visit Twinkle's website for locations worldwide.

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