KATE SPADE NEW YORK AUTUMN/WINTER 2015-16 READY-TO-WEAR

Kate Spade New York chief creative officer Deborah Lloyd was thinking about Roald Dahl this season—Tales of the Unexpected, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory… “Magical stories,” she said at the presentation. Lloyd enlisted the illustrator Mike McConnell to sketch little vignettes on the curved walls of a set made to look like a hotel bar. (No complaints, but it was hard not to think of Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle hotel, its own walls covered in illustrations by Madeline author Ludwig Bemelmans.)

Lloyd always keeps the clothes “whimsical and fun,” as she says, but this season’s inspiration meant a slightly dialed-down kitsch factor. There was still a good time to be had, though. Alongside the sensible plaid jackets, skirts, and clean top-handle bags were plenty of faux-fur accents and chunky, crystal-encrusted loafers. (The fox, inspired by Dahl, had its moment, too, on an illustrated dress and a cute clutch.) Cocktail attire included a strapless pink brocade number tied up with a bow in the back, and a navy one with a bow in the front. Was it all as whimsical and fun as Lloyd hoped? Sure, but it was also more straightforward than her typical fare. Which was welcome, since a little magic goes a long way.