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Bird’s Jennifer Mankins Likes Behnaz, Lim, and Bamboo

From left: Behnaz Sarafpour, 3.1 Phillip Lim, United Bamboo.Photos: imaxtree.com

All week we’ve got buyers from Bird, Bendel, Intermix, and more to give us the scoop on what spring looks they’re snagging. In this installment, Bird owner Jennifer Mankins is falling for Behnaz Sarafpour’s earthy embroidery, pleated tunics from United Bamboo, and high-waisted styles from H Fredriksson.

Behnaz Sarafpour
She spared no luxury for spring, creating ecochic for the urban adventuress. A jungle-print, short-sleeved coat was stunning; turquoise, malachite, and coral-beaded embroidery punched up the cream and black dresses and skirts. The high-waisted tie-front slim short pants will look great with everything, and the silk ombré-printed dresses were beautiful. The wood-platform stilettos from Sergio Rossi for Behnaz Sarafpour were to-die-for.

View a slideshow of the Behnaz Sarafpour collection.
Watch a video of the Behnaz Sarafpour show.

United Bamboo:
Downtown style arbiters Miho Aoki and Thuy Pham went prim and proper with trim tweed and seersucker but maintained a punk edge with Native American–inspired pleated tunics and metallic windbreakers and tunics. The embroidered pleated tunic worn with short shorts, gold origami armbands, flat sandals, and a straw hat is a look that could work both on the Lower East Side and in the South of France. And every fashionista will be fighting over the hand-beaded multiple rosette necklaces.

View a slideshow of the United Bamboo show.

H Fredriksson
Swedish-born, NYC-based Helena Fredriksson showed her strongest collection to date. Spring is shaping up to be all about the waist, and Helena gave us plenty of high-waisted skirts and shorts, as well as gorgeously printed silk dresses neatly nipped at the middle. Her classic, nature-inspired screen print showed up in the form of flutter-sleeve silk tops and as the trim on perfect silk summer dresses. Think of a beautiful wood nymph transplanted to Williamsburg, and you’ll get the idea.

3.1 Phillip Lim:
Lim’s passport-styled show invitation hinted that he was in the mood for travel this season, and a far-flung, eclectic mix of inspirations came together in his trademark, casually elegant way. His dresses are the bread and butter of the collection, with fringed, mini, maxi, and shift versions shown for day and night (a black silk maxi gown, worn with a slim tan leather belt, nearly stole the show). Perfectly draped Grecian tea dresses were topped ever so coolly with cashmere cardis, trenches, and boyfriend jackets. The leopard-print jersey minidress with matching sandals might be my spring 2008 uniform.

View a slideshow of the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection.
Watch a video of the 3.1 Phillip Lim show.

Bird’s Jennifer Mankins Likes Behnaz, Lim, and Bamboo