Mercedes Benz Fashion Week NY: Fall 2009 Georges Chakra

Famed Lebanese couturier Georges Chakra is known for his bold and trendy red-carpet looks worn by the who’s who of Hollywood, including Cameron Diaz, Helen Mirren, Jessica Alba and Carrie Underwood. For his first RTW collection, Chakra stepped AROUND the box, with his series of fun and colorful party wear. This feminine, and awfully couture looking collection, shown in the Promenade at Bryant Park on February 14, was quite a propos for St.Valentine’s Day and included many pretty date-night pieces. 

Wonder Woman: Using a flashy plastic material, resembling latex, intricately folded into origami bows, Chakra evoked a flirty, futuristic superhero. This feminine evening collection featured mini sequin shifts with metallic capelets, ruffled collars, long gowns with trains flowing cape-like behind, and sleek, glimmering pants. Topped off with exquisite, elbow-length leather gloves, all that was missing was the “S” on the chest.  

Shapes and silhouettes: The look was all very vintage 1950’s; lots of poufy full skirts, belted and cinched-waisted cocktail dresses. Slim pants paired with tailored jackets, and glamorous flowing evening gowns, typical of this red hot, Red Carpet favorite. Don’t be surprised to see many of these donned by your favorite stars very soon. 

Color palette: Lacquered black, chrome, and crimson, followed by metallic polka dots and colorful geometric print dresses and jackets. 

Front Row Faces: Along with a stark-looking Kellie Pickler, and Jennifer Love Hewett, snarky stylist Philip Bloch was also in attendance. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images for IMG

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY: Fall 2009 Christian Siriano

 Everyone’s favorite Project Runway alumnus, best known for his highly propogated catchword, “Fierce!”, is now in his third season as a designer diva. It seems Siriano is finding himself right at home in his new niche. The season-four winner made his first runway debut with his ruffled, conquistador-inspired Fall ’08 collection that received rave reviews.

Egyptian rockstar: Looking like a cross between Cleopatra and Bianca Jagger, Siriano’s Fall 2009 collection was a welcome followup to his first few rounds on the runway. The dramatic pieces included sleek, gleaming pantsuits and body-hugging dresses in silk charmeuse and organza. The piece de resistance, a “gilded fur pharaoh gown” accessorized with an outlandish headpiece, appropriately worn by exotic model Sessilee Lopez, drew gasps. If it were 490 A.D., Siriano’s face would be on every pyramid wall, and we’d be saying “Tutenkhamen, who?”

Shapes and silhouettes: It seems the ruffles are still the forerunners, but this time, the collection features much more intricate and feminine folding. Everything from slim cut dandy-style pants, to billowing trousers, were seen with large, pronounced shoulders that were draped beautifully, reminiscent of Victorian drapery. Also, quite a few one-shoulder dresses were featured, as well.

Color palette: Rich, saturated gemstone shades of gold, brown, and turquoise gave the collection an exotic, luxurious feel fit for a Queen of the Nile.

These spikes are made for walking: All of the amazing platforms were created in conjunction with Payless Shoe Source, which Siriano has collaborated with to create his own line of shoes. The chained and studded beauties will be in Payless shoe stores in September 2009, and will retail for $25-$45. I can’t wait to get my grubby little hands on a pair of these. Go ‘head with your bad self, girl!

Photography: Imaxtree

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY: Fall 2009 Brian Reyes

Brian Reyes’ show on Thursday took him to new “heights,” literally. When Colombian-raised Reyes, who earned a few notches on his fashion belt while at Michael Kors and De la Renta, decided to collaborate with shoe icon, Manolo Blahnik, I’m sure he had no idea what he was in for. Way too high, or way too big, whatever the case, the shoes were just NOT working and were quickly abandoned by some models, who paraded sans stilettos. Known for dressing a slew of Hollywood’s hot ingenues, Reyes’ fresh, young collection was, nevertheless, impeccable.

Stone Age: Strong, structured separates with silky blouses, slinky belted dresses, and pointed pumps (which caused way too much trouble than they were worth!), helped to revive the powerful, take-charge business woman of the Eighties. The graphic marble prints, straight out Bedrock, made the whole collection very Wilma and Betty meets Tess and Katharine.*

*(Working Girl, for those who are out of the loop)

Shapes and silhouettes: With this collection, Reyes tapped every woman’s inner ” naughty secretary” . Boxy shoulders paired with classic pencil skirts, slim fitting dresses, and three-quarter sleeve car coats lended a very vintage and feminine sensuality to the collection.  

Color palette: Inspired by rock quarries around the world, the palette was earthy, including shades of grays, dusty charcoal and umber, offset with bright shots of electric blue, brick red, and mustard-seed/gold.

Overall critique: Looking like the infamous runway scene from SATC (when Carrie bites the dust, then proudly finishes her strut with shoe in hand), Reyes’ heel drama proved to be a bit distracting, if not entertaining, to all involved. The shiny, disco-era fabric, short hemlines, and bright colors made the collection youthful and funky, albeit not very suitable for fall.

I died for…the glittering gemstone jewelery, created in collaboration with Roxanne Assoulin from Lee Angel, that perfectly accented the color palette and mood.

Front Row Faces…incuded the classier hotel heiress, Ivanka Trump, as well as a Reyes’ favorite follower, Rachel Bilson.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits: Getty Images