Tory Burch brings Picasso's artist lover to NY runway

US affordable luxury designer Tory Burch unveiled spring/summer 2015 creations

in New York on Tuesday inspired by the spirit of French painter and Picasso mistress Francoise Gilot.

Models with tousled hair and dewy complexions strode the runway in cream, navy, white, mustard and pink, adorned in a simple and fresh collection of skirts, sweaters and dresses.

Texture came in the form of raffia tweeds, graphic smocking and knits paired with digital print counterparts, worn with oversized earrings, woven leather flats and color-blocked bags.

There were geometric prints picked out in jacquard jackets, coats, tunics and shorts, as well as pretty broderie anglaise and an elegant left-print silk georgette dress in white and beige.

Also eye-catching was another georgette gown with delicate ruffles down the front while interesting basketweave was presented on cotton dresses, skirts and in a knit top. Also featured was a preppy staple of button-down, crisp white shirts.

"I love the idea of her being such a strong woman," Burch told AFP when asked why Gilot had been such an inspiration. "She was also an incredible artist in her own right," Burch said, adding she has always loved Picasso's ceramics.

"I think she must have influenced that in some way, in a good way." Burch, the daughter of wealthy parents with storied lives of their own -- her father reportedly courted Grace Kelly before his marriage -- her brand has been astonishingly successful.

The company launched in 2004 with a small boutique in Manhattan and has since morphed into a global empire with more than 125 shops and a presence in more than 3,000 department and specialty stores.

Burch won the "Accessory Designer of the Year" award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and is on the Forbes list of most powerful women in the world.

Asked for the secret to her success, she was modest to a fault. "I have the best team in the world -- I would never be able to do it without them." She says she is always inspired by other women.

"When I look at our collection, I really look at the world as an inspiration. It's really about different cultures and different kinds of women." (AFP)