Tory Burch’s homage to Lee Radziwill

Lee Radziwill is the gift that keeps on giving. The legendarily elegant younger sister of the late First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy has long been an icon in high-fashion, never more prettily so than in the latest collection by Tory Burch, presented Friday morning in Manhattan.

Out strolled the cast in delightful semi-sheer chiffon dresses cut with lace trim and dangling ribbons; patchwork paisley caftans; or best of all a series of beautiful silk georgette gowns in a Happy Times print of flowers in full bloom; leaves; roots, twigs and branches. Though Burch kept it real too, thanks to her pick of suede or double weave twill trench coats; well-proportioned shearling jackets and hefty parkas. All done with her requisite soupçon of hippie chic, and a tincture of sporty style.

Though the key color was actually pink, chosen in honor of Lee’s famous pink couch. Staged in a field of thousands of real pink carnations, planted on moss, over which the models walked. The elegiac mood heightened by a live performance of the Chamber Orchestra of New York, playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and conducted with dramatic precision by Salvatore Di Vittorio, a native of Palermo, Italy, clothed in finest conductor garb.

“I like the humbleness of the carnations. And I wanted optimism. I don’t care where we are going I just want optimism, but not in a cheerleader way!” Burch told FashionNetwork.con with her signature, melting smile.

“I like Lee for her character, her wit and her resilience. And obviously I love her style, I just did not want to literally reference it,” added Burch, who received a huge burst of applause at the finale, from a beaming audience that included Julianne Moore, Sienna Miller, Zoey Deutch, Liya Kebede and Jessica Hart.

Radziwill, who has married thee times but uses her second husbands surname, is an occasional interior decorator known for her impeccable taste.

Burch’s show was staged in a mammoth, failed former restaurant built with mock tile arches underneath the Queensboro Bridge, and the space’s 80s renovation seemed ideal for the upbeat colors of this collection. Unfortunately, a recent illness prevented Radziwill (née Bouvier) from attending, but her spirit wafted through every look. Truly a muse for any age.

Tory Burch’s homage to Lee Radziwill

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