At Reem Acra, Dresses for Royalty

Designer Reem Acra presented a fall 2008 collection that comprised draping silk dresses — long ones, belted at the waist, and short ones that hung tent-like. Shades of purple dominated the palette at yesterday's Bryant Park runway show: There was a silk charmeuse gown in a dark eggplant hue, a mink-embroidered evening cape in a dusty shade of grape, and a bold feather-adorned frock in a bright orchid color. (Even Ms. Acra's dog, who made an appearance at the end of the show, wore a shiny purple coat.) A blazer, a halter top, a peg skirt, and a sheath dress that was shown on the runway with a matching chinchilla capelet were cut from silvery fabrics, while large gold accents were seen on belts and necklines throughout the regal collection.