Flowers, slightly trampled, but not undaunted

       Designers at New York Fashion Week had a new tactic to woo back wary customers: flowers.after two days of rain-drizzled gloom for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week's fourth day. But that doesn't mean everything was roses - the floral patterns looked like flowers after the rain, a little worse for wear.
       Muted arrangements were blurred like they had been caught in a downpour. The sense was one of transition: Spring is coming, but not undaunted.
       Retailers should be satisfied with the pops of colour,something they want to draw customers into stores.Yet the colours aren't so bright they require sunglasses - designers are aware of the gloomy context, too.
       Diane von Furstenberg followed her successful formula of mixing high-fashion concepts with relatable pieces: This spring, the theme is queen of the desert.
       "Diane von Furstenberg can do no wrong," said stylist Mary Alice Stephenson."It's always a perfect mix of what editors want - over the top, gold embellishment - but there's also those little dresses that everyone wants."
       What will there be a clamour for? Perhaps the green macrame dress, or the gold bomber jacket. There's also the tie-waist, draped lavender tiger chiffon dress and her standby wrap dress, this time offered in an orange print.
       The sunset colours, including burnt yellow, orange and purple, as well as greens and blues, are in line with the dominant palette so far this Fashion Week, and the runway had the requisite not-too-perfect florals.