Victoria Beckham makes return to sophisticated form

NEW YORK (AP) ― She may be chic and petite, but don’t mess with Victoria Beckham. She offered a no-nonsense, tough-girl fall collection at New York Fashion Week on Sunday that she hoped would forge an “emotional attachment between the garment and the wearer.”

She explained in the notes for attendants of her small runway show at the New York Public Library that she used this season to explore her interest in details and technique. The crowd did include husband David, in his Sunday-best suit.

“The idea of how the body can connect to the clothes through their construction and detail fascinates me,” she wrote.

That translated on the catwalk to shiny python shirt-style collars on second-skin dresses with gold hardware, and zip-back striped sheaths. Interesting twists included dresses with epaulets but no sleeves to hang them on, and harness-style backs on dresses that had high necks in the front. There was a hint of a schoolgirl vibe in some looks with the collars and flared-hem skirts.

Gone from this collection were the looser shapes Beckham had been experimenting with in past seasons.

This was Beckham’s sexy, sophisticated look to the core. OK, the exception might be the motorcycle boots that one can’t image Beckham giving up her stilettos for.

There was not much opportunity to see Beckham when she took her bow: It was a brief wave as she peeked from backstage.

“She is so determined and focused in anything she does, whether it’s her career, figure or clothing line,” said Nina Garcia, Marie Claire fashion director and “Project Runway” judge. “She’s her best advertisement. She always looks great, is a fashion icon herself and has a passion for what she’s doing.”