Tag Archives: fashion week

Christian Siriano Fall 2009

siriano1Christian Siriano aimed to give “the modern working girl a bit of Cleopatra’s drama” with his Egyptian-inspired Fall 2009 collection. Expect gold, chocolate brown, and dark turquoise in bold shapes and cuts. Intriguing styles include a satin high collar, puff sleeve blouse with sculpted front petals, a sleek vest slipped over a cashmere cowlneck sweater, and a number of hard metallic pieces suggestive of the sacred scarab beetle.

One can never have too many coats in the fall, and Siriano provides a wide range of flattering silhouettes, from the classic peacoat with gold zippers, to outerwear with cinched waists, bell sleeves, and tuxedo pintuck details. There were also several one-shoulder ruched dresses, but Siriano does especially well with his grandiose gowns, complete with a daring headdress, gathered train, and hammered satin layers. The gold lips and those fetching, fringed bangs brought a nice costume effect.

Siriano also debuted his shoe collection for Payless.  The gold pyramid heels, stacked chains, and subtle hieroglyphic print complemented the Egyptian theme, but would make the transition marvelously onto city streets.

– Tiffany Chang

See more photos from the Christian Siriano show below


3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2009

phillip_lim1Phillip Lim showcased a very futuristic approach in his vision of Britain in the 1960s. Backed by a live performance from singer Lissy Trullie, the feminine swinging frocks and masculine charcoal and leather palette conveyed a chic and glamorous capsule of the era.

Powder trenchcoats, buttoned cream leather gloves, and pastel pantsuits were prim and classy. Revolutionary jackets were updated with ivory wool and silver trim, and ruffled high collar blouses dazzled in magenta and goldenrod, both shown over spice tapered trousers. Sheer floral A-line dresses, a strapless fur-embellished tank, and this cropped blazer blessed with the Midas touch bestowed the right amount of flair to the black jackets and heavy outerwear.

The streets and narrow alleys of London were kept alive with black & silver stripes over burgundy tights, lace wristlets, sequined tanks, and jumbo gold-studded leather handbags, all topped off with a short bob and sleek bangs. Christian Louboutin provided the red-bottom soles for both men and women. The dangling gold chain, open-face pocket watch is the only (perfect) thing missing in this very sophisticated line.

– Tiffany Chang

See more looks from the Phillip Lim show below


Rebecca Taylor Fall 2009

Rebecca TaylorFor Fall 2009, Rebecca Taylor delivers a glorious interpretation of “imagery from Northern European fairytales” by utilizing lilac and minty pastels, luminescent layers of chiffon, and luxurious jewel tones.

Field flowers are translated into lively magenta dresses with ruched sleeves while the Scandinavian sea is captured with diagonal ruffle separates as well as hues of smoky quartz and navy. Metal and stud embellishments decked out everything from cashmere sweaters and coats to champagne slinky tanks. Fair isle cardigans and grey flannel brought warmth to all the metallic jacquard pieces. Large leather clutches and fur cropped jackets provided an edgy feel to this very romantic and feminine collection.

Playful and flirty elements materialized with a deep-V, silk ruffle blouse tucked into loose houndstooth trousers and a lovely wool and mohair cobweb vest shown over a swinging skirt. Leopard print also appears on slim cigarette pants and pencil skirts. Chunky Lucite necklaces added depth against delicate textures.

– Tiffany Chang

rebeccataylor2

Richard Chai Fall 2009

Richard Chai Photo by Stevyn Llewellyn
Richard Chai Photo by Stevyn Llewellyn

For Fall 2009, Richard Chai delivers a collection that would not be out of place in downtown galleries and studio lofts, where tan leather, cool charcoals, and sleek pantsuits make a perfect transition from work to lounge.

Olive parkas and fluffy spotted feather coats mixed well with the cool concrete tones. Slouchy pants and wide-legged trousers kept prim turtleneck sweaters and lamb shearling looking comfortable and gritty. There was a very masculine approach to the sculpted blazers and leather vests with turned up collars – although the dove-grey draped separates and those all-over print suits in Poppy and Confetti were definitely very flirty elements. Bright hues do come to play, seen in the fuchsia tank dresses. Also noteworthy are the scruffy open-toe lace up boots, which added a very grungy appeal.

– Tiffany Chang

RIchard Chai photo by Stevyn Llewellyn
RIchard Chai photo by Stevyn Llewellyn

Nanette Lepore Fall 2009

Photo by Stevyn Llewellyn
Nanette Lepore Photo by Stevyn Llewellyn

“Opulent Magpie” provided the inspiration for Nanette Lepore’s Fall 2009 show, where print on print is divine. Crimson tribal carvings, tie-dyed tartans, purple plaids and dark paisleys juxtaposed wonderfully against sequined tops and soft bubble-sleeved sweater cardigans. A slightly ruffled and nonchalant Gretel (sans Hansel) took center stage today, with windswept curls and nude lips.

The treasure trove of accessories was absolutely enticing. Lepore featured leopard belts and black tights with silk patchwork skirts, floral blouses over leather gloves, and animal print platform heels with satin red ties. Piles of fine chains, chunky jewels, and feather chokers complemented the sorbet, ginger gold, and berry palette.

Sporting orangeade and fuzzy grape berets over flimsy dresses brought a bohemian vibe. The surface contrast of merino wool showing over shimmery silk crepe, as well as blousons with sheer black sleeves tucked into tweed geometric print shorts, was quite alluring. Nothing was toned down – even solid black pieces were gussied up in a whimsical way with the polished “trenchdress” and velvet trimmed form-fitting blazer.

– Tiffany Chang