The energy in the Greenwich Village studio where Donna Karan was showing her bridge collection was elevated and exhilarated. Or perhaps, it could have been my sheer zeal to experience the epitome of legendary New York design of Donna Karan for the first time, while my journalistic idols Suzy Menkes and Hilary Alexander sat front row, mobbed by celebrities and socialites. A throng of youthfully flirtatious pieces floated down the runway. “Crave You” by Flight Facilities played as silk dresses were adorned with draping scarves at the neck. Major notables included frills and florals with tonal blocking. Classic pieces were made playful with asymmetry, ruffles and unexpected colourways – a strong theme for this successful DKNY Spring Summer 2011 collection.