Katie Stern for Venexiana September 2008 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week The Tents at BryantPark September 5, 2007 Written by Janet Perisa Photographed by Eli Ceballos

Kati Stern’s newest collection for spring was like a holiday tour through 1940’s Paris. Her signature “Good Girl Gone Bad” approach to fashion design was for the most part absent in this collection, but Katie did pull of refinement and glamour while preserving the jovial spirit of her lifestyle brand. The sizzling swaggers of her models were probably the best working the runway this week, which added to the confidence that Kati infuses into each of her collections.

The show began with a nautical-inspired white, wide-leg tailored pants suit that sported exaggerated lapels, buttons, and navy trim. Her floral print chiffon dresses swayed gracefully in sun-kissed shades of peach and orchid. But it was the evening collection that brought Kati’s guests to the edges of their seats; applause ruptured through the audience when a cream and silver lace evening dress, cinched with a satin umpire waist graced the catwalk. Other notable evening dresses include a navy palette gown with shimmering crystal detailing and a blush chiffon tea-length dress with ruffled sleeves.

In the end, Kati emerged triumphantly to the forefront, engaging her audience and hamming it up for the cameras. And why not—modesty is not in her nature; this why New York loves Kati.

For more information on Venexiana, log on to: www.venexiana.us.