Tory Burch’s Sunny Ways Lift the Gloom of New York Fashion Week

Flower Models, Hot Pink and Happy Times Steal the Day

By Clifford Pugh // Feb 11, 2018

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Tory Burch Ripstop coat, "Happy Times" print crepe de chine skirt and soiree-print plisse georgette wrap skirt.

Tory Burch Ripstop coat, "Happy Times" print crepe de chine skirts and soiree-print plisse georgette wrap skirt with pointed-toe high heel bootie. Photo courtesy of Tory Burch.

Tory Burch argyle mohair sweater, "Happy Times" print crepe de chine skirt with pointed-toe high heel bootie. Photo courtesy of Tory Burch.

Tory Burch fuchsia dress stands out in her fall 2018 collection.

Tory Burch fuchsia dress with pussy bow, pointed-toe high heel bootie. Photo courtesy of Tory Burch.

Tory Burch shearling coat, "Happy Times" print organza and crepe de chine dress and jacket with pointe-toe high heel bootie. Photo courtesy of Tory Burch.

Tory Burch "Happy Times" print silk georgette dress with ruffles and pointed-toe high heel bootie. Photo courtesy of Tory Burch.

Tory Burch "Happy Times" pattern merino wool sweater, viscose crepe skirt, and white leather moto jacket.

Tory Burch "Happy Times" pattern merino wool sweater, viscose crepe skirt, white leather moto jacket, and pointed-toe high heel crocodile bootie. Photo courtesy of Tory Burch.

Tory Burch "Happy Times" print viscose crepe wrap dress and matching tote bag, with pointed-toe high heel bootie.

Tory Burch "Happy Times" print viscose crepe wrap dress with matching tote bag and pointed-toe high heel bootie. Photo courtesy of Tory Burch.

Tory Burch bonded wool satin coat and denim dress with pointed-toe high heel bootie. Photo courtesy of Tory Burch.

Tory Burch suede bomber jacket, "Happy Times" pattern cotton sweater, bi-stretch wool skirt.

Tory Burch suede bomber jacket, "Happy Times" pattern cotton blouse, bi-stretch wool skirt, pointed-toe high heel bootie. Photo courtesy of Tory Burch.

Tory Burch viscose crepe wrap top and striped viscose skirt with pointed-toe high heel bootie. Photo courtesy of Tory Burch.

NEW YORK — According to the classic song, it’s nice to tiptoe through the tulips. But for Tory Burch, pink carnations will do just fine.

Amid the gloomy winter weather that’s gripped the East Coast, Burch brought a sunny attitude to New York Fashion Week. To showcase her fall 2018 collection, she transformed a vacant marketplace into a temporary garden with 14,000 pink carnations and hired the Chamber Orchestra of New York to perform while models strolled along mossy green paths between the sea of flowers.

So much pink in such a gray world provided some nice Instagram-worthy moments, although there’s always the danger that such eye-catching surroundings can overshadow a collection. But the carnation installation, a nod to choreographer Pina Bausch’s dance “Nelken,” provided a picture-perfect way for Burch to highlight a large number of floral print dresses and separates, contrasted with modern outerwear, including tech canvas parkas, shearling coats, leather moto jackets, and suede trenches.

Burch, whose fashion empire is based on an effortless, accessible style of dressing, named the floral silk print that permeated the collection “Happy Times,” which happens to be the title of a book by the collection’s muse, Lee Radziwill. Burch said she was inspired by the “effortless style” of Radziwill, the sister of former first lady Jackie Kennedy.

Like a number of other designers, Burch also made an apparent reference to the #MeToo Movement by featuring a hot pink long-sleeved dress with a pussy bow at the collar.

Also noticeable are the accessories — always a Burch strongpoint. Among the standouts are a oversized “Happy Times” floral tote and a shiny, pointed-toed high heel bootie in bubblegum pink, white, tan, mahogany and black. There’s even a crocodile-embossed version that’s sure to be a big seller.