Trendy spins on the classic three-quarter sleeve blazer, sporty chic separates, and the energetic use of colors throughout the spectrum all contributed to thrilling debut of Juicy Couture’s Spring 2012 collection. A DayGlo rainbow sent bursts of color straight through our photoreceptors, all the more vibrant against the stark white backdrop. Models, fresh-faced with gravity defying curls, stood as stylishly clad statuettes atop multi-tiered pyramids throughout the Academy Mansion venue. Expertly navigating the crowd in crisp white uniforms and visors were the hunky Juicy men, fitting counterparts to the picture perfect Juicy ladies on display, serving abundant cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on neon Lucite trays. 

Color blocking is clearly here to stay for another brightly hued season, as we saw in a dropped waist “Twiggy-esque” shift dress. The same goes for the nod to nautical stripes; the classic arrangement shown in bright pink, green, and more traditional navy and red made us long to spend our sunny summer days by the shore. Metallic linen added glamour to a casual blazer. Additional tailored outerwear featured luxurious attention to detail, apparent by the interior hems covered with sweetly scalloped strips of fabric. Sweet dresses in floral crochet, lace, and pleated details delivered the collection’s feminine touch. Printed silk in warm navy and gold, shown in a knotted bandeau top and multi-print maxi dress, seemed bold, yet strangely subdued alongside the majority of vibrant brights in the collection.

It wouldn’t be a Juicy Couture collection without a signature tracksuit or two. This season’s suits showed off an updated 70’s throwback style, with clean, straight lines and contrasting stripes down the sides. The track pants, jackets, and skirts are right on trend with the playful sporty looks that rocked the runways for spring. 

The collection included a covetable line of accessories. In contrast to the preppy innocence of the collection, accessories included edgy laser-cut leather clutches, layered multi-chain link bracelets, and crystal studded belts. We seriously love Juicy footwear this season: platforms of braided tri-color leather, metallic woven flatforms, and leather strapped sandals with buckle details and chunky cork heels. Also spotted, an adorable pair or navy platforms with prissy white bows at the ankle and toe.

New Chief Creative Officer LeAnn Nealz has upgraded the status of the Juicy brand and successfully shaken up our long-standing notion of their style as less than fashion forward. "The collection feels fresh, young, updated, and most of all, modern," Nealz said. Spring 2012 has us discovering a more mature Juicy Couture, no longer lounging in saccharine hued velour but traveling elegantly from coast to coast in a wardrobe as appropriate for brunch in the Hamptons as it is for setting sail in Saint-Tropez.