>> For Spring 2012, Rachel Comey was feeling a bit introspective. "I was trying to capture this moment when I have my hat or sunglasses on and am able to wander around the city and look inward," she explained backstage after yesterday's show at Pier 59. "I was kind of creating this character that is maybe exploring traveling, getting away, or in some way has stuff on her mind — she's thinking things through."

Physically, this reflectiveness translated into relaxed silhouettes, textural layers, and lots of innovative prints. Knitwear stitches were photographed and printed onto chiffon skirts and tops for a trompe l'oeil effect, while large-scale prints by artist Rosemarie Auberson and photographer Gus Powell adorned crisp sheaths and silky frocks. "I wanted to play with depth, layers, and different levels of opacity," Comey commented.