NEW YORK, June 16, 2011

By Matthew Schneier

Truman Capote's 1966 Black and White Ball—a.k.a. the party of the century—set the gears turning for Moschino’s Resort collection. Designer Rossella Jardini shares Capote's love of a woman in frills (though it's hard to imagine Tru approving of her preferred hoop earrings). The time (the sixties) and the parameters (dress to impress, black and white if you like) loosely structured the collection. It included bubble skirts and bow-front bouclé jackets, cropped capri trousers, and a primary-colored take on a Prince of Wales print. Midcentury socials—Capote's arm candy—would've looked smart hitting the boutiques in Moschino's color-blocked coat or a matchy-matchy banded tank and skirt set. (Although, this being Moschino, even the proper cardigan jacket had buttons with googly eyes.) Ironically, there wasn't much for evening.