Herrera hypnotizes as Hilfiger brings the beach to NY

NEW YORK, United States - Carolina Herrera on Monday unveiled a hypnotizing collection for next spring with multidimensional geometric motifs, while Tommy Hilfiger brought the beach - sand and all - to the runways of New York.

With a chill in the air as the Big Apple slides towards fall, Herrera offered up an elegant and fluid vision of spring-summer 2014.

The Venezuelan-born doyenne of New York Fashion Week, who has dressed US first ladies from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama, said she drew inspiration from the kinetic art movement to create pieces that played with perception.

Herrera used layered patterns on a range of fabrics to create "clothes in motion", with swirling lines - in black and white or green - or overlaid square shapes creating a feeling of movement.

Top model Karlie Kloss closed the show in an ivory, black and shell pink gown with a silk organza overlay studded with diamond dots, creating an almost three-dimensional effect.

"Patterns of black and white, and prints in crimson, sienna, and smoky umber contrast with soft tones like tea green, porcelain and mauve to accentuate this play on perception," the 74-year-old Herrera said in her show notes.

"Kill Bill" actress Uma Thurman told AFP the show was "exquisite, the best New York has to offer."

Curvy "Mad Men" siren Christina Hendricks was also in attendance, after taking in Zac Posen's show on Sunday night.

American designer Tommy Hilfiger went out of his way to hold on to summer, bringing a snaking boardwalk and sand dunes into a massive warehouse alongside the Hudson River as the backdrop for his new collection.

He said the line was a celebration of an "endless summer" with a colorful, sporty and youthful look conceived with the sun-kissed West Coast in mind.

"It's Melrose to Malibu," Hilfiger said in his show notes. "The West Coast represents a golden era of surf, sport and optimism."

The show opened with the sound of crashing waves as a model walked out in a salmon and beige leather polo dress.

A scuba diving-inspired dress with touches of burgundy followed, along with a red silk dress that reinterpreted the traditional basketball jersey. Swimwear looks were made to transition easily from beach to town.

Hilfiger pepped up American classics with bright colors - orange, salmon and turquoise - and added references to scuba, skate and surf throughout the collection.

The fashion director for the Macy's department store, Nicole Fischelis, was enthusiastic about the show, saying: "It is a good vibration, a great way to start the week."

Celebrities, fashionistas and industry heavyweights have flocked to the Big Apple for fashion week, which runs through Thursday before the spotlight swings over to London, Milan and Paris.

Several big names still have to unveil their latest looks, including Tory Burch, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein.