Reflecting on Monday’s stint at NYC Fashion Week, I can answer dear Rufus’ question with confidence.

Yes, a jaunt through Bryant Park most certainly represents true love.

Early in the weekend, February Fashion Week was feeling a lil step-childish compared to its September sibling.

Kinda cool, but kinda bo-ring. Bad economy, dreary weather, and a general lack of sartorial buzz were not ringing true to my mind-blowing experience last September.

O, but Monday more than made up for that.

Dressed to motha-lovin impress in a white BR blouse and pink Blumarine skirt (thanks MC), I did my best C.Bradshaw as I pranced into the NYC Public Library for the Jill Stuart show.

Jilly from the Block

From my chi-chi front row perch (So what if there was really only one looooong row? I was still a FrontRowGirl), I was able to inspect every detail of the runway show.

Gorgeous and playful, Jill’s Fall 2009 Collection radiated with chic contrasts- sheer against opaque, light and dark, mohair with chiffon. My favorite was  Stuart’s display of soft and hard. Rather than employing the typical (and tired) technique of masculine and feminine by throwing a tweed vest over a pencil skirt, Stuart instead manipulated the color palette.

Big and Black

Float On...

Looks of head-to-toe black sauntered down the runway first, in layers of leather and lace. Like black licorice, they were rich and complex- a taste so intriguing, but definitely not for the faint of heart. What soon followed were chiffon minis in cream and washed-out pastels, and cigarette pants in confectionary pinks and purples. They looked as light and airy as sugary cream puffs. (Sounds like Mimi’s feigning for some sweets, huh?)

Though the individual pieces were absolutely stunning, the accessories were what impressed me most. Jill displayed more suede shoes than an Elvis impersonators’ convention. They were inky black, rose pink, creamiest tan and TDF shades of eggplant and lilac.

Boots with that Fur!

Sexy fedoras and quirky knee socks were paired with ethereal chiffon dresses, evoking  a sort of badgirl fairy vibe.

Layers of style

Fingerless gloves and cross necklaces turned belts continued this “Naughty Tinkerbell” feeling.

The entire collection oozed feminine sensuality, but in a way that was nuanced and offbeat. With a swath of lace over mohair, and severe black suede booties completing an all-white outfit, Stuart seems to be challenging women during this economic funk to use everything (including the kitchen sink) to live up to the words of the delightful Daily magazine that “Chic must go on…”