Skip school, eat carbs, and makeover your room with Kate Spade Spring/Summer 2012

Stylist Brad Goreski and Kate Spade Creative Director, Deborah Lloyd, with the Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

When Kate Spade Creative Director, Deborah Lloyd, finalized a partnership with Australia’s Florence Broadhurst prints, she couldn’t have known the collaboration would uncover a secret childhood addiction: wallpaper.

“I’ve started wallpapering my house, which I said I’d never do—but I’m on my third room now!” Lloyd confessed to Videofashion Tuesday evening at the Kate Spade Spring/Summer 2012 presentation. But Florence Broadhurst-covered interiors are an upgrade from the walls of yesteryear. “As a child, I wallpapered my bedroom purple—this is a little more sophisticated,” she added with a smile.

A longtime fan of the late artist’s exquisite hand-painted designs, Lloyd knew Broadhurst’s nature-inspired graphic prints would harmonize perfectly with Kate Spade’s signature whimsy. After hands-on archival research at the Florence Broadhurst Aussie headquarters—Lloyd’s first trip to the Land Down Under!—she was ready to roll out the bold patterns on more than just the walls of her Brooklyn townhouse. “We’ve used the prints on everything—from Vespas to stilettos to suitcases to dinnerware to cocktail dresses to hats!” Lloyd explained.

Biker chick? Biker chic! A Kate Spade Vespa is your ticket to ride.

She wasn’t kidding. The Chelsea presentation space itself had been transformed floor-to-ceiling into a virtual printed paradise, and attendees enjoyed posing with that vivid Vespa—sure to vrrrooom! right on to a few holiday wish lists! (including ours—a girl can dream …) While guests found comfy seats on Florence Broadhurst-upholstered couches, glossy models  paraded out in the cheerful, cheeky new collection. By presentation’s end, the packed room was longing to skip the next five months and get on to temperatures warm enough to don any number of the punchy separates and sweet printed frocks. Nautical stripes also made waves with the crowd—which included actress Alexis Bledel—while polka dots gave an extra pop of optimism to our favorite little white dress. Ready-to-wear notwithstanding, it wouldn’t be Kate Spade without an it-bag, and this season’s juicy-hued clutches caught our eye.

Skirt the rules--Kate said it's ok! Stripes are extra spirited when paired with a witty shirt and fun accessories.

Joining forces with Lloyd for a second season, the always dapper Brad Goreski styled the perfectly-polished presentation, and gushed post-show about the gig. “Kate Spade is so much a brand I identify with. I guess there’s Jack Spade, but I’m still very much a Kate Spade girl at heart!” Goreski told Videofashion. Donning a Florence Broadhurst bowtie (love), the reality star and budding author characterized Kate’s spring gal. “It’s a girl who likes to make a bold statement, but also [stays] refined and chic,” said Goreski, “But there’s definitely a sense of humor.”

That sense of humor plays out this season via a series of t-shirts and totes. Embellished with sassy slogans like “Play hooky,” and “Eat cake for breakfast,” (why not do both?!) the tees and bags are the brand’s nod of whimsy which Goreski and Lloyd both adore. “It’s something that’s very us, and a nice way to dress things down a bit,” said Lloyd, “You’re not always going to a cocktail party or wedding—it’s fun to mix the high and the low.”

You’ll have to wait a bit longer to pick up the new Kate Spade collection, but here’s an idea to tide you over: make the most of your snowed-in time this winter (come on—you know it’s coming …) deciding which bleak room needs a little Kate Spade makeover. You’ll be in good company. “The prints are so chic,” said Goreski. “I need to wallpaper an entire room.”

Have your cake and tote it, too! It's a sugar rush from Kate Spade Spring/Summer 2012, and this dotted frock is a Videofashion favorite.