The butterfly that had a large part in the new Vivienne Tam spring collection made for a bohemian moment that seems rare these days as the industry seems singularly focused on breaking out of the retail-sales rut.

But Tam’s light, delicate touch on the runway is most likely an easy-to-sell look. That probably wasn’t an accident: Tam seems to have no problem mixing the art of fashion with the business of consumerism. She opened her show with a brief video commercial for technology company HP. Models carried butterfly-decorated handheld computers like clutch purses.
You know what? They looked good, a seamless fit for the clothes that gave a modern twist to the hippie.
The butterfly prints she used were feminine but not too delicate or corny. They worked best on printed silk jersey dresses and blouses.