Ashley Hanosh is what you might call a dress curator. She's been a dress-only lady since she was a nipper and the store that she runs on the LES is a dress-only playground with the odd cheeky onesie thrown in for fun (but definitely no separates!). I was introduced to Honey In The Rough, Ashley's store, by an expert dress-wearing friend of mine about a year ago and I've been completely fascinated by Ashley's ability to connect the dots between dress and occasion ever since. In Ashley's world, first-date outfits and easy summer numbers happily sit next to power-lunch ensembles, and she effortlessly administers dresses like prescriptions for every lady that walks in the store. I recently paid a visit to Honey in the Rough to find out what Ashley had lined for Spring 08, and asked her to pick out some of her favorite dresses for the season.
1. The Aquamarine dress by Tsumori Chisato—Chisato has reached fashion cult status with her work over the years. The layered print on this dress is so amazingly trippy you will make you look like a floating optical illusion.
2. Black and grey strapless number by Peter Jensen—Peter Jensen's spring 08 collection was inspired by a 1950s Baltimore housewife who likes to walk on the wild side and it shows.
3. Red and pale pink sailor dress by Emma Cook—If the Petit Prince were a girl he might wear this, and so will we.
4. Purple and orange zig zag dress by Eley Kishimoto—Eley Kishimoto are the original OGs of printed textiles, and their zig-zag print is pretty much a classic.