Fashion Week: Chris Benz spring 2012 show report

It was a psychedelic garden party at Chris Benz’s spring presentation at Avery Fisher Hall Monday – one that filled the airy space with eye-popping color, precocious patterns and idiosyncratic styling.

As with Benz’s previous collections, the amalgamation was like a breath of fresh, fun air. The patterns alone were a semi-trippy sight to behold. Stripes, camo, florals, '60s Pop and ikat were incorporated into fairly restrained silhouettes — think below-the-knee hemlines and louche, slouchy ensembles.

Nature-plucked shades such as grass, tangerine, lemon and turquoise paired seamlessly with elements of black and white.

Some looks were artfully styled with high-top sneakers made in collaboration with designer Alejandro Ingelmo, which added a dash of eccentric humor — something that Benz believes in. “A bit of comedy in the mix is always sexy and modern,” he told us.