Erin Fetherston Grows Up and Freaks Out for Fall ’09

We knew things were getting a little spooky at the Erin Fetherston show when the carnival-meets-fun-house music started playing over the speakers. Then the first look came out, and we think our jaws may have come unhinged: A giant black top hat, a "teacup" skirt that came out to there, and a quirky-cool blouse in deep cranberry. No, this certainly isn't the bubble-skirt-and-flutter-sleeve-blouse-Erin of yesteryore, but a different, darker and perhaps even kinkier Fetherston. Were the harlequin dresses and dollhouse looks derivative of Miu Miu spring '08, and the tall hats a little reminiscent of Burberry Prorsum circa 2008? Well, sure. But was all the tulle, silk, and chiffon—most elegantly executed in a floor-sweeping last look that would fit right in with the de la Rentas and Herreras of the red carpet—still distinctly Fetherston? You bet. Looks like this California native is finally finding her footing, without losing sight of her roots.