Imagine the roaring 1920s with enchanting flappers dancing to hot jazz numbers and you’ll come pretty close to the IISLI Spring/Summer 2009 collection. The luxury label has been creating clothes for a “sophisticated woman with individual style and eclectic taste” since 2003. Sisi and Nelson Li, founders and designers, used Great Gatsby on Bond Street (located in NoHo NYC) as a muse to create a dramatic collection that was “strong, feminine, and always, always effortless.”

As usual, they started by inventing a jacket and then worked their way down the collection. Layered together, shine flattered matte fabrics while fine lace stood out under structured safari blazers. Jersey dresses and soft tops were graced with girly ruffles. Wild and bright colors were not on the menu this season at IISLI. Instead, a refined color palette of heather, slate, and ash grey, white, black, gold, and silver were used. A splash of rich teal here and there and loads of sparkle gave the ethereal collection some subtle feistiness. Lace headwraps and long mesh chain necklaces polished off the looks. Every piece was absolutely flawless. I wished my closet looked so good! Prices go from about $200 and up at Bloomingdales, Saks, Bergdorf, and Nordstrom. If you scour the web at the right time, you can score great sales at revolveclothing.com and shopbop.com. Happy shopping… ~ Maria Denardo