Derek Lam for Kohl's DesigNation

 

 By Laura Medina

St. Patrick's Day marks the arrival of sunny, well-tempered Spring here in L.A. but drab, sleet-frosted New York, craving for some sunshine, has already jumped the gun when Derek Lam officially debut his new moderate-priced line for Kohl's, "Derek Lam for DesigNation," (Kohl's answer to Target's Limited Edition Designer Collection.) on this morning's "Good Morning America."

Derek went on a "research vacation" in contemporary Rio de Janeiro for a fresh take and inspiration for his Kohl's collection.

During the day, he walks in the park, soaking up the vibrant graffiti and street art, eating up the eye candy in modern museums and art galleries then fueling on modern Brazilian cuisine so he can dance the night away in the nightclubs.

Using all his senses, Derek distill his experiences in the rich, primary color palettes in prints reflective of the florals and the street art of Rio for Kohl's DesigNation Spring 2013. 

The key words guiding him through the design development are: color, life, city, modern, timeless, clubs, and museums.  Adding all these up, the real Rio de Janeiro for the modern woman.
 
He managed to infuse his modern and clean but feminine and refined aesthetic with ingredients of samba of a jungle beat city.

What Derek really likes is that he can give the majority of women designer quality at an affordable price. 

Here are some tips in how to incorporate his new Spring Collection into real life, which going to hit Kohl's and Kohls.com this pretty soon, April 5th...

Be Pretty

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Celebrate spring and feel pretty in feminine pieces, including a variety of versatile dress styles perfect for every occasion from the work week to weekend outings. With geometric stripes, jungle-inspired shirt dresses and flowing maxi dresses, the Derek Lam for DesigNation collection brings the spirit of Rio in fun, carefree dresses, great for warmer weather.

• Work Week:
  A sleek, yet relaxed silhouette is key this spring for dresses and perfect for the workplace. These pieces are appropriate for the office, but will also let your personality shine through. Try the Scarf Dress ($60), Button-Down Shirt Dress ($70) or Slant Pocket Bra Dress ($70) for easy and stylish looks, while layering a cardigan or blazer for endless options.
• Weekend Wear:
  For a more casual spring look, try the V-Neck Gathered Dress ($60), the Shawl Neck Bubble Dress ($64) or the Fitted Boat Neck Dress ($70) which are comfortable, but fashion-forward. These pieces are chic enough to be worn from day-to-night by slipping on a pair of high heeled pumps or adding statement jewelry to transform the mood of the outfit.

Sorbets & Brights

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Adding color to wardrobes helps to confirm that spring is here and bright and bold hues are everywhere this season. From muted sorbet colors to vivid blues and greens, the Derek Lam for DesigNation collection offers a large palette of hues for any mood.

• Muted Tones
  Light pinks, grays and creams are seen throughout the spring collection in soft, silky draped pieces, bubble hems and button-down shirts. Try the Draped Neckline Dress ($54), Tab Collared Top ($48) or Long Draw String Skirt ($54) to embrace these simply understated colors.
• Bold Beauty
  The bold and the beautiful! Feel electric and alive in vibrant colors this spring. No matter the weather, these vivid shades will brighten any day and create a confident look. Try the Asymmetrical Seam Skirt ($54), Slant Pocket Pant ($54) or Fitted Sweetheart Dress ($60).

Bold Prints & Patterns

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Inspired by the spirit of Rio de Janeiro, Derek Lam introduces bold prints and unique textures in his spring DesigNation collection. Rio's vibrant culture and style comes to life through the printed pieces and patterns.

• Mix & Match
  Pair prints, knits, and colors to create an effortless yet fashion-forward look. From printed Drawstring Shorts ($48) and a Knit Basic Tank Top ($40) to a Loose Boatneck Tee ($44) and a Bomber jacket ($70), fashion can come to life through texture and design.
• Pattern Play
  Make a statement this spring with bold graphic patterns. Wearing prints in the same color tones and different geometric designed pieces brings excitement to playing with patterns. A bold print is the perfect way to push your fashion limits. Try the Drawstring Waist Darted Dress ($60), the Darted Crewneck Top ($40), Tab Collared Tunic ($48), or Scarf Dress ($60).

Statement Pieces

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Invest in some great statement pieces that will instantly make you feel beautiful and confident for the spring season. These pieces walk the line of comfort and will push your style to feel free and poised in an outfit that looks right off the runway, but is budget-friendly.

• Statement pieces are interesting and eye-catching wardrobe items that reflect your personality. Step into the V-Neck Maxi Dress ($88), Bra Jumpsuit ($88) or Shirred Shoulder Tunic ($60) to pull off a sleek, sexy look. These pieces seemed designed with your favorite celebrity in mind, yet are available to all women for less with Derek Lam for DesigNation.