There are plenty of interesting things going on this year at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week, and by “things” I don’t just mean the clothing. Being that I am obsessed with fashion, when I am unable to sit at my computer and watch live streaming of the shows or look at the latest reviews on style.com I follow all the latest chatter on twitter. I was expecting to hear commentary on what collections were to die for and which ones not so much. Instead I read about the most refined of designers karaoking (Valentino) at Barneys and Kate Spade, Chanel hotdogs, and apparently Alexander Wang had a crazy party.
Although it made me ask myself, “what in the world is going on New York Fashion Week?” I won’t lie—I was a bit jealous that I couldn’t take part in these Fashion Week shenanigans… or at least be there to see it all first-hand.
Just as surprising as the goings on at Fashion Week, a few designers also presently surprised us by stepping out of their comfort zones.
Prabal Gurung, a favorite of mine as I’m sure you have come to notice, shifted noticeably from his usually conservative designs that are befitting to the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama or Fourteen-year-old actress Hailee Steinfeld. His opening look, a printed silk dress, comprised of sheer panels at the thighs and sides gave a grown-up definition to the word peekaboo—more to the likes of Nicki Minaj who made her appearance at the show. Despite seeing the green, purple, and black floral print make its way down the runway on seemingly every model the floral motif retained its fresh appeal—I personally couldn’t get enough the vibrant print. Though Gurung veered toward a more risqué collection with the peekaboo panels, leather, and latex he did not neglect his more discreet looks with highly tailored silk jackets and a beautiful purple skirt and lace top—much to approval of his most loyal fans.
In a different case of unexpected Christian Siriano, the winner of Project Runway who is still straddling the line between reality TV star and serious designer, started the show off with “cool” t-shirt and skirt combinations and every girls spring go-to, the sleeveless, collared, crisp white dress—definitely geared toward a younger aesthetic. Then when you thought you had sat through a predictable spring collection the designs of the real Christian Siriano appeared with over-the-top tulle and organza gowns in acid hues of red-orange and yellow –green. The vastly different looks and colors between the beginning, middle, and end of the show are much akin to how people felt about the collection. While some enjoyed seeing a more demure collection other’s were sad to see such pared downed looks, and yet others could make no sense of the whole thing.
By Kristianne Young
Photos: Style.com
