Vena Cava

>> The pieces Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock created for Fall 2012 espouse a colorful optimism that is tempered only by practical tailoring. Maybe that sense of delight comes from the knowledge and comfort of the licensing deal Vena Cava struck recently with global trading firm Li & Fung.

The happy news is as good a reason as any to dust off summery shades of turquoise, yellow, and cobalt and serve them up playfully during the coldest months of the year. But to keep them in the season, Buhai and Mayock grounded their brights in basic black and sewed them into some decidedly '40s silhouettes. These looks are strong, and as Vena Cava regains its strength as a corporate entity, it's only imaginable that the clothes will get even more powerful.

>> In lieu of a runway show or presentation this season, Vena Cava's Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock hosted an intimate dinner at MPD in the Meatpacking District, dressing friends like Tennessee Thomas, Stephanie LaCava, Kate Young, Nora Zehetner, and Lily Kwong for the occasion. “We really design for our friends so we thought this was a great way to do that and have a nice evening,” Buhai explained.

See Vena Cava's Spring 2012 collection here.

For Spring 2012, Vena Cava's design duo, Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai, deliver their signature cool, with nods to Spring brights, quirky cutouts, and sexy — but never overtly so — silky silhouettes. The team reworks its knack for creating slick silhouettes with eclectic details: dresses get a dose of colorblocking in bold orange, cream, and black, or a splash of soft abstract print; others, like slim pencil skirts are redone in tropical-inspired prints. Looks that feel entirely modern — while hinting at something a little more retro — lend themselves just as easily to a springtime getaway as they do to life in the city, thanks to key pieces like high-waist pants you could pair with practically anything. Get all the details below, then click through for a look at the whole collection.

• Trends: Contrast stitching and seams in black and white, tropical and soft abstract prints, off-the-shoulder and halter necklines, high-waist trousers, and colorblocking.
• Colors: Orange, lemon yellow, brown, black and white.
• Key Look: A cutout tan and black-sleeved sheath dress, paired with crisscross black sandals.
• Accessories: Round sunglasses, crisscross striped black sandal wedges, open-toe lace-up booties in black and rust, slouchy bucket bags, and structured satchels in tan, black, and soft green.
• Who Would Wear It: Girls who crave polish, but not without a dose of eclectic details.

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>> In lieu of a runway show or presentation this season, Vena Cava's Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock hosted an intimate dinner at MPD in the Meatpacking District, dressing friends like Tennessee Thomas, Stephanie LaCava, Kate Young, Nora Zehetner, and Lily Kwong for the occasion. “We really design for our friends so we thought this was a great way to do that and have a nice evening,” Buhai explained.

The collection, inspired by '40s films Buhai and Mayock watched while on a research trip to Vietnam in March, features a botanical marijuana-leaf print, wrap-tie skirts, and colorblocking. The label is also introducing intentionally-nondescript handbags for Spring, ranging $275 to $550.

These pictures from Vena Cava for Uniqlo just landed in our inbox, which means we'll be lined up at the store tomorrow right when it opens. The summery dresses and classic Vena Cava prints will be on sale tomorrow, and the six-style collection will retail for $29.90. Unless you're a sample sale expert, it's hard to score designer fashion for $30. What do you think of the collection?