This tiny capsule of dresses with bursts of coral and watercolor florals is the first women’s collection for Silvio Liu, showcased here at Merecedes-Benz Fashion Week.

The spring cocktail dresses were chic silhouettes on their own, the light palette was refreshing, but I saw a few key details that didn’t sit with the collection.

Silvio Liu- Spring 2011 Collection

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The fit and tailoring was perfect and created a flattering feminine look on all the dresses, but I wasn’t too keen on the cropped boxy jackets that covered a few of them.

Waists are neatly nipped in and the classic, curvy, female figure is accentuated in all the dresses and it’s either via a body hugging retro-bodice, or a soft drape.

Silvio Liu- Spring 2011 Collection

I loved the pastel palette and felt jarred by the occasional black. Perhaps a warm charcoal or navy?

Silvio Liu- Spring 2011 Collection

There were two pieces with exposed metal zippers that I felt didn’t belong in the collection. And the khaki trench. Although a trench is key for spring, not with these sweet tart dresses.

Silvio Liu- Spring 2011 Collection

My pick for a balmy summer night in 2011 would be the coral dress with the printed and tiered waistband. Or the printed bodice top number with double straps – but if only that black was navy?

Silvio Liu- Spring 2011 Collection

This is definitely a designer to watch emerge, as it’s the first collection and with experience the collections will grow and develop. For sweet and feminine party dresses this is a place to go to. –Alix Kivlin

_{Photos: Alix Kivlin}