Duro Olowu showcased his Fall 2011 designs at NYFS

Day four of New York Fashion Show saw favorite designers from Nigerian born designer Duro Olowu to iconic Americans like Diane von Furstenberg to the dynamic new designers Cushnie et Ochs, there was a lot to please the eye.
  
For his first show in New York, designer Duro Olowu presented his colorful Fall 2011 collection, which he titled “Urban Gaucho,” at Milk Studios last night. The collection by the  Nigerian-born designer was inspired by the style of South American Gauchos, as well as by the work of Harlem Renaissance photographer James Van Der Zee, said Olowu at the show.
“I was influenced by gaucho – but not literal. More of a gaucho spirit,” he said. “Women want to look confident, still feminine, but confident.”

Olowu mixed prints with plaids, florals with stripes. There were long, flowing dresses, wide-leg trousers, tweed tailored jackets, velvet coats and even a patchwork cape.
Despite all of the contrasting textures and vivid colors – bright red and yellow, colbalt blue, touches of gold – Olowu insisted that every look was wearable.
“I think women all over the world embrace color when its done in the right way,” he said.
“I’m always very inspired by women. I want to make clothes that woman can wear. And I hope that’s what I’ve done,” Olowu added, before he trotted over to a model on the stage to adjust her belt.

His line was inspired by Brazil and by Mexican film actress María Félix.