The acclaimed husband and wife team of "Y" (Hanii Yoon) and "Kei" (Gene Kang) launched the Y & Kei line “to fulfill their Buddhist belief in "watering the earth" and nourishing the world with beauty and happiness” Though I wasn’t as ‘blown away’ by their fall collection as I was for spring 2006, there was nonetheless a lot to like. Going in a direction that is more dressed up and sophisticated the 37 piece collection focused on clothing for cocktail parties, dinner parties, art gallery openings, and galas, rather than down time and work. The pared down color palette which emphasized black, ivory, midnight blue, and charcoal gray, was given a jolt through hits of lavender and a golden burnout print, and fabrics used included wool, cashmere, matte jersey, chiffon, lace, brocade, and velvet, with sequins, eyelet, lace appliqué, jet and gold caviar beads, ruffles, and prominent cabbage roses, providing surface interest and decoration.

Recurrent themes were the pairing of a pretty lace jabot blouse with a slim trouser or in one case, velvet knickers; well tailored trench coats and wrap coats- like the midnight blue glitter wrap coat with jabot collar- which could take you anyplace in the world; beautifully fitted jackets; knee length matte jersey, chiffon, or charmeuse cocktail dresses (like the navy charmeuse with caviar beaded cabbage roses and lace appliqué; gracefully draped jersey and chiffon long gowns. The finale, a crowd pleasing shimmery silver lame jersey goddess gown that was covered up in front but which boasted a dramatic low back, was simple yet dramatic, and something one can envision walking down the red carpet at the upcoming Academy Awards.

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