A is for Authority

The mood was cool and confident at Donna Karan's afternoon show today. The designer showed her strongest collection in many season, proving she is an authority when it comes to draping, tailoring and nitty, gritty urban sophistication. Karan struck the perfect balance of craftsmanship, proportion and low-key luxury with beautifully tailored jackets over draped skirts and belted coats with a kind of shoulder-to-the-wheel recession-proof toughness. Yet there was plenty of glamour and femininity in the effortless draping of jersey evening dresses. She even draped cowl necks on shearling coats, an effect that gave the silhouette a shrugged on elegance. Even the weird-ish shearling gauntlet sleeves lent the clothes a kind of nonchalant note. Michelle Obama should take a close look at this collection before her first State dinner.