FASHION WEEK Beaches inspire Lepore’s new line

By Anne D’Innocenzio

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Youngstown native Nanette Lepore, known for her youthful feminine fashions, sent embroidered caftans and colorful dresses with halter tops and cut-out backs down the runway Sunday as a way to escape to warm, sunny places.

Lepore invoked the coasts of Calfornia and France during an interview backstage before her show.

“It’s about beautiful colors of the sky and the sea and the bright sun,” she said. “It’s fun, beachy places. I’m really trying to play up that fresh, feminine cool vibe.”

Lepore’s spring 2015 collection featured yellow tent dresses, white strapless dresses and embroidered black and white caftans. There were also floral two-piece and one-piece swimsuits.

“I used to go to California every summer as a kid. So I’ve always had really fond memories. And I love visiting the south of France.”