Badgley Mischka

NEW YORK, February 5, 2008
By Nicole Phelps
Mark Badgley and James Mischka said Bianca Jagger was their woman for Fall. Clues that the seventies were the duo's starting point included a brick-red crinkled leather jacket worn with a matching, flared above-the-knee skirt; and an apricot turtleneck and boot-cut glen plaid pants worn with a little broadtail-and-fox vest.

They aren't the kind of designers to launch themselves willy-nilly into a theme. So worked in among the floral shirtwaists, floppy felt hats, and high suede boots were the kind of reliable, timeless clothes that the ladies who lunch live for: a pencil skirtsuit in a buff tweed shot through with metallic thread, or wool crepe tuxedo pants worn with a chiffon blouse and a little silk faille jacket with short mink sleeves.

Badgley Mischka's daywear is always sensible enough, and this season is no different. But anyone with a Bergdorf's charge card knows that their raison d'être is eveningwear. Two of the best gala looks were an amethyst organza creation hand-painted with impressionistic flowers, and a strapless bustier style with a lace overlay studded with crystals. The spare elegance of these looks made you wish the boys had left the silver and gold sequins, splashed liberally on other big-night dresses, back at the disco.