Famed Harper's Bazaar editor Carmel Snow once said, "Elegance is good taste plus a dash of daring," and methinks no fashion aphorism rings more true. It's safe to say that designer Jennifer Mary of JMARY—one third of the talented trifecta who recently showed with us at this year's New Garde—knows the merits of such a pithy observation. With a collection that pays homage to chic Italian matriarchs and sultry screen sirens like Sophia Loren and Monica Bellucci, Mary's spring effort is as bold and dramatic as it is classically feminine, fit for the kind of women who inspired it—and the inner goddess in all of us.

To date, Mary's collections have been coveted by such prestigious dames as Diana Ross, Yoko Ono, Diane Keaton and Ashley Olsen, and more fans are sure to follow suit with her spring effort, which continues making elegance a cinch. Silhouettes in embroidered lace, polished rayon, and silk chiffon are always feminine, detail-heavy and incredibly conscious of the body; blazers and blouses pin and tuck in all the right places by way of darts and belts, ensuring that the woman takes center stage.

Spring jackets, meanwhile, have never looked so lovely—the belted "Donna" coat in sheer wool gauze is leavened by a loose and flowing bottom that'll make you want to do spins. Constantly drawing from her maternal Italian roots, the satin "Giovanna" dress gets is name from her grandmother; the modern A-line coat, "Corfino" takes the name of the town in the Italian Alps where her family comes from; and stand-out blouse, "Elisa"—a gorgeous ruffled chiffon halter top—is named for her mother and fellow designer, Elisa Ferare.

JMARY is undeniably upscale but still remains wearable by the modern woman that can appreciate a ruffle, a pleat, an impeccably placed dart—all in the name of achieving an elegance possessed by, but in no way exclusive to, the Sophia Lorens of the world.

JMARY is available at Blake, 2448 N Lincoln Avenue, (312) 202-0047.

- Kristi Garced

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