Milly's art exhibit

Milly designer Michelle Smith propped her runway with a giant Alexander Calder-esque mobile – powerful, off-kilter and elegant, a lot like her show.  Her muse was Peggy Guggenheim, the well-traveled, eclectically styled art collector.

The first look had us worried – a Muffy-ish brass-button jacket in tomato-red checks, paired with sunburst pleated skirt in tomato and navy – yeesh, didn’t really work. 

But soon after, the drama unfolded with a series of giant rosy prints – a saucy, off-the-shoulder job, and op-arty sweater and slim skirt ensemble (with matching bag, a new collection for Smith).  A ladybug dress was quirky and clever, while Milly’s socialite front row (Tinsley Mortimer, Chessy Wilson among them) will lap up Smith’s neat sheaths – (a good go-everywhere pick for Jill Biden, who wears the brand).  An awning-stripe lawn dress in navy and white is perfect for croquet in the Hamptons.  And an inky printed shirtdress topped a metallic skirt – fashionably eccentric, we loved it.

PHOTOS: Celebs at fashion week

In addition to bags, Smith debuted a jewelry collection – funky and chunky – some made of wood, agate, rhinestones, rope and gold – some tribal-inspired.  Likely, Peggy Guggenheim would have approved.