Ralph Lauren's vivid spring

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STORY: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York drew to a close on Thursday (September 12) with prim, 1960s-inspired looks from Ralph Lauren.

Among the last of the hundreds of fashion shows that filled the week, the trend-setting Lauren went relentlessly black and white - a theme among many designers this week - then switched to eye-popping fluorescents.

His black wool crepe ottoman jacket worn over a knitted vest, white cotton shirt and black tie, along with black silk shorts and patent leather Mary Jane shoes brought to mind a tomboyish schoolgirl.

Black-and-white checked pantsuits in the Charlie Chaplin-meets-Annie Hall mode featured oversized lapels.

The youthful looks were accessorized with newsboy caps or Harry Potter-style spectacles.

Balancing out the collection were blocks of unearthly fluorescents, including searing neon leather jackets topping miniskirts.

The fashion world's attention now turns to spri