NEW YORK, February 9, 2006 – The fact that Araks Yeramyan's lingerie has a cult following that includes Sarah Jessica Parker and Sofia Coppola (who featured it on Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation) is reason enough to stir interest in her first efforts at ready-to-wear. A Parsons grad who has worked at J. Crew and Marc Jacobs, Yeramyan launched her Araks lingerie line in 2000, adding swimwear in 2004, and last year produced a capsule collection that was picked up by Barneys New York. Fall marked her ready-to-wear debut.

Vaguely inspired by the twenties, the collection was feminine and light, and often had more of an airy spring feeling than an autumnal mood. But that didn't detract from the very direct appeal of the clothes, pretty separates that were styled exactly the way one imagines they'd be worn: a chestnut cami layered under a green chiffon blouse and paired with a tweed pencil skirt; or a thin cashmere sweater worn like a shirt. Tulip-shape pockets on jackets and a skirt were alluring, as was a cashmere sweater with a pendant collar. But Yeramyan also sent models in bras and panties down the runway, a sign that she is still figuring out how to balance lingerie and ready-to-wear. And as desirable as the clothes are, they still feel more like pieces than a collection. A more intimate setting than the catwalk would have better communicated their charm.

– Laird Borrelli