Prabal Gurung’s amazing purple haze

It’s only the third day of fashion week, and things are starting to look alike, but not so at Prabal Gurung’s swanky show at the IAC building in Chelsea, where the designer’s creations were eye-poppingly novel and quite beautiful.

Set against a huge lavender pane of glass, violet was the color du jour, as gorgeous pansy- laden dresses engineered with sheer panels at the sides and back created a barely there effect.  It was as if the models were wearing a haute couture maillot with gossamer wings – risqué for sure, but striking. Many a wispy frock was accessorized with a black twisted leather harness – Gurung called it a “holster” in program notes – but the balance of the soft swirl of georgette with the sturdy leather was terrific.

Here there was a poetic white blouse with an airborne back frill, hazy floral prints on slim pants and sweet dresses, and a nude and black lace confection worn by supermodel Karlie Kloss that caused gasps. While there was plenty for the socialite, dignitary set, Gurung went to town with a number of ensembles that featured luxe track shorts (yes, track shorts!) – a white floral laser-cut lambskin pair will have leggy types making a mad dash for them next spring.