Less Shrooms, More Vroom: Jen Kao’s Grown-Up Fascination With Psychedelia

Jen Kao, who is well-versed in the evocative, staged her show at the New York Public Library on a circular, glow-in-the-dark stage. Her lights-off aesthetic kicked off the show, with obscured models all walking out in the dark on top of bisected and geometric designs that glowed in the pitch black. And then, Kao's show began.

Her first look was an incredible leather anorak with a cocoon neck — signaling we were in for a serious treat. Kao's fascination with psychedelia seems to have grown up a bit, but it wouldn't be her without hints of edge: Even two-piece suits had mega slits, her footwear consisted of geisha-like wooden blocks (but with a major heel), and instead of stoner ponchos, we were treated to a gorgeous collection of sophisticated jackets, anoraks, and sporty coverups — some of which, of course, glowed in the dark.