Electric Feathers, and an electric morning! After three straight days of rain and gloom, the sun shone brightly on the Mercedes Benz fashion tent at Lincoln Center. We were ready to be relegated to Leana Zuniga’s chimerical world of convertible gowns, jumpsuits, and capes.

Zuniga was chosen as one of six emerging designers to participate in W Hotels’ FASHION NEXT initiative, which provides support for up-and-coming designers to showcase their work. We walked into “The Box” presentation, and Mark immediately remarked that he thought it resembled the cantina scene from Star Wars. Not too far off with a frock from the collection named Kenobi, but there was also an amalgamation of Grecian, Egyptian, Arabian folklore, and ancient Mesopotamian influences. With the inclusion of Sara Sophie Flicker of The Citizens Band in the model mix, it added an acrobatic dancer vibe to the whimsical, dark atmosphere.

Chanteuse Lia Ices performed, donning the flame red Kenobi gown, accompanied by two hooded DJs in sand dune robes. Glittering red, gold, champagne, ivory, fuchsia, teal, and black hues reflected, reverberated, and glimmered off the spotlights. Sumptuous silks of the habotai, lame, and noil variety, and cotton gauzes, dramatic eyes, softly tousled hair, headwraps, comfortable flats, and oversize totes. Utterly dreamy!

Walking into the 66th St. Lincoln Center subway station, we admired the intricate, sparkling mosaics on the southbound track. An installation entitled “Artemis, Acrobats, Divas and Dancers” by the late artist Nancy Spero by happenstance harmonized with Electric Feathers’ inspiration! One mosaic in particular of a robed woman sheathed in gold, red, and black very much embodied the Electric Feathers Spring/Summer 2012 collection; that of a strong visionary and warrior.