There are a few shows every fashion week where the crowd's affection for the designer is palpable in the room. Tracy Reese's shows are often packed with her family and friends, who cheer her on, present her with flowers and after the show, laud her latest work.

The newest collection opened with One Way's slinky R&B song "Cutie Pie" as models sauntered down the runway in a melange of textures. Sweet lace dresses were topped with fluffy scarves that mirrored the models' softly teased hair. Sweaters with faux fur sleeves worn over studded blouses ended in fingerless opera gloves. Tweed sweaters were paired with suede skirts. The overall effect was a downtown girl's twist on proper uptown preppy dress codes, with just the right amount of skin on display.

"[The collection] was really trying to juxtapose the feminine and the masculine, or the soft and the edgy," Ms. Reese said after the show. "You want some comfort, and so there's a lot of textures, soft fabrics and cozy things."

Layers offer protection from the elements but also add beauty and dimension, she said. She suggested mixing party dresses with scarves: Women could tie them on as shawls or wear them draped and belted over as a vest, she said. "It makes the outfits more interesting," she said.