Jenni Kayne Fashions Sleek and Tight

Designer Jenni Kayne isn't expecting customers to let their diets go over the winter months, considering her spring collection is tight, sleek and sometimes belly baring.

The outfits she previewed Wednesday just ahead of New York Fashion Week's official kickoff were heavy on leather, not typical for warm-weather clothes. Kayne is, after all, based in Los Angeles, but the buttery texture of one cream-colored sheath dress made a strong case.

Leather consistently does well at retail for her, she said.

A pair of leather shorts paired with a back-zip leather top was one of Kayne's favorite ensembles. Another was a bright yellow pencil skirt paired with a top that left about an inch of skin exposed around the waist.

"I really like the idea of wearing two things in the same fabric but wearing them in new ways," she said.

Kayne looked back to both the 1980s and '90s for inspiration. "I call it `naive sportswear toughens up."'

There's no separation in her collection between daytime pieces and eveningwear, she said, because she believes that people "should have the chance to wear the heck out of the clothes." That said, it's up to the wearer to decide when to wear the menswear-style collared striped shirts and the skimpy silver sequin T-shirt dress.

By SAMANTHA CRITCHELL