Donna Karan
DONNA KARAN is as New York as the Empire State Building so it's fitting that the backdrop for her show was New York City cab. The clothes were very Americana as a whole. "West coast ease meets east coast edge," said the show notes of the collection. There were versatile, creamy white shirt dresses with asymmetrical hems, reminiscent of California ease. The crisply tailored blazers matched with shorts held together perfectly a metropolitan edge and her denim ensembles were flawlessly crafted, and nothing says America more than jeans.
Donna’s red, white and blue floral pattern wasn’t subtle and mixed with a bright print creates outfits full of youthful sprit that had an appealing, cheerful energy. The collection would suit a year-round wardrobe that defied seasons or locations, and could easily be layered with other pieces from your own closet.
Monique Lhuillier
Monique Lhuillier, renowned for flawless floor-sweeping gowns, flawed her followers - sending out a collection for spring/summer 2012 designed to shock. Where just last season the vibe was all-out opulence and grown-up glamour, the blasting electro-pop soundtrack kicking off the show was an sign that she had prepared a surprise.
A distinct difference from her usual gowns to say the least, this season Lhuillier offered up cocktail dresses with shocks of leather and lace - something that will no doubt appeal to a younger audience. “With women more into fitness and healthy lifestyles these days,” the designer explained, “I compliment their physique with intricate seaming to outline the body.”
The common trend in New York has been bright, bold and sleek body-conscious cuts. An intriguing and unique design feature throughout, though, were the graphic black intersecting panels, and leather and lace inserts, added to the form-fitting garb. Her winning style perfectly shapes the female form as the side panels slim the hips, with the perfect health-conscious celebrities seated front row including, Mandy Moore, LeAnn Rimes, Rose McGowan and Jamie Sigler.
Lhuillier didn’t leave her fans entirely in the dark; she pleased her die-hard followers by including some traditional pieces - with off-the-shoulder, twisted tulle cocktail dresses in vivid cyan, magenta and yellow. When the gowns finally arrived in an edgy paint-splatter print in chalk-white, they contrasted interestingly with the more traditional silhouettes.
Christian Siriano – Spring/Summer 2012 – RTW
He may be best known for his stint on Project Runway, but young designer Christian Siriano is taking steps to ensure he is taken seriously - carving an identity for himself removed from his television persona. On the other hand, it helps when you have Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia and Joe Zee excited to be in your front row. There was also an obvious tribute to Michael Kors’ school of American sportswear with a crocodile-print blazer and matching exaggerated A-line skirt ensemble, and chic colour-blocked separates.
While the collection was stylish and even quite elegant, there were still some misplaced pieces throughout. Some silhouettes weren’t flattering and some questioned whether his creativity was a little ridiculous. I liked the crepe trumpet skirts that opened the show (not a crowd favourite) but the nude ostrich and chiffon dresses weren’t particularly flattering
But..... The good weighed out the bad. The cream cape-like blazer and fluid lime trousers wowed the crowd, as did the citrus hued organza and tulle ball skirts paired perfectly with graphic striped jersey tops.
Siriano disappointed with his choice for Heidi at the Emmy’s but I was pleased with his show...
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