'Double Take'

Reminding us all that fashion is supposed to be fun, designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCullough of Proenza Schouler dreamed up a Spring-Summer Collection with tie-dye, animal print, tinsel and beading in the brightest colors imaginable.

It was a collection welcomed by fashion critics who argued in the last couple of seasons that the 28-year-olds were “trying too hard to come off as adult.”

The critics were right in this aspect, lest the two designers forget that they owe their overnight fame and success to their 20- early-30-something and celebrity customers. The youthful take on fashion’s recent trends had much to do with their source of inspiration:

“We wanted something young, something that felt fresh,” Hernandez told Style.com. “So we looked to surfing and skating – the things we grew up on.”

And refreshing it was, in a California-scuba-diver-meets-New-York-club-goer sort of way.

The sporty chic collection starred windbreakers wrapped around the waist which doubled as skirts. The motif continued in aqua blue shirt dresses and purple tank dresses. The most versatile combination was a black jacket with a menswear cut worn over color-blocked track pants.

Not afraid of color, the duo delivered animal print tops in an interesting tie-dye effect. But there were no references to hippies and Woodstock, with such blinding color combinations of blue and yellow encouraging the models to don thick, black sunglasses.

The bra-cup bodices that have defined Proenza Schouler style did return, this time accented with layers of mini-ruffles. In an unlikely use of material, plastic pom-pom fringe and tinsel fell in a torrent from the shoulders of racer back dresses.

Do you think the pair tried to tone it down with their choosing of accessories? Nope.

Studded, laser-cut heels, woven wedge sandals, and clutches came in the same electrified color palette as the rest of the garments.

Need a bit more attention next season? This is one collection that can’t help but go unnoticed.

-S.Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of style.com