Leave it to Catherine Malandrino to transform a typical gray New York morning into a leisurely vacation on the French Riviera. The picturesque grand promenade at Lincoln Center was a fitting location on Sunday for the designer's romantic take on spring. The installation that aligned the modern reflective pool looked like an art installation, but was filled with the joie de vivre it seems only Malandrino can muster. For the new season, the designer steered clear of the minimalist fad we've seen all week, finding inspiration on the artisanal work of Roger Capron, a ceramist in the artist village of Vallauris in the south of France. The collection's soft watercolor palette of lilacs and ocean blues were direct references to the fluid glazes in pottery. Wide-legged and high-waisted pants proposed an effortless and loose silhouette, reminiscent of of a '30s-era woman on a summer sojourn. Low bloomers in washed earth tone linens and a long hand-crocheted dress added a free-spirited bohemian edge to the offerings. Elaborate macramé knots were fashioned into leather boleros, airy tunics, and elongated vests, and were paired wonderfully with talismanic quartz necklaces. Catherine has the unique ability to transport her audience into a specific time and space without ever losing site of her loyal globetrotting customer. By the end of the presentation I felt like I had taken a quick jaunt on the Côte D'Azur.