What a complete turnaround for Christian Siriano this season; there was a certain palpable shift toward a more sophisticated, grown, and overall sombre collection for fall — and we loved it! One could almost see the showgoers mouthing the words “love it” over and over again throughout the course of the runway collection, as Siriano pushed himself to experiment with a variety of textures and fabrications that all met with outstanding results.

There were of course, some superfluous, show-stopping gowns, with the majority of the pieces a perfect amalgam of glam and rocker edge. Of course, we can’t wait to see how the shoes on the runway are developed into the ‘real way’ via Siriano’s contract with Payless.

-Julia DiNardo

[Images courtesy of 3M]

Bravo‘s hit TV Program “Project Runway”‘s Season 4 winner, Christian Siriano, has teamed up with the household name brand, The O-Cel-O™ (part of company 3M) to create his first-ever No-Scratch Scrub Sponge designs. Spinning off of the major Asian influences seen on the F/W 2011 runways, Siriano also derived inspiration for this new line of chic dishware cleaners from India, Africa, and Asian inspirations, “both patterns, Leopard and Muse, are meant to captivate the eye through the use of color and the latest trends,” explains Siriano.  Available in packs of 2 for $2.59 and packs of 3 for $3.60, these funky yet fashionable cleaning devices can be brought home to your kitchen sink via mass merchants or find out where to buy online here .

- Rose Lou

[Images via Elle.com]

As one of our most popular designers to come out of Project Runway, Christian Siriano presented his Fall 2011 Collection, a black orchids-inspired line which also features the new Christian Siriano for Payless Gold shoe line, in which the hoofed-toe and petal-adorned dress pumps served to accentuate his nature-inspired collection.  The dark, earthy tones ranged from black (often stylishly layered in light, iridescent layers to create texture and volume) to a mauve pink and moss green. Siriano’s attention to detail and glamour were punctuated by the pairing of dress pumps, which complimented the sleek lines featured in his full, bouncing skirts and dresses textured to resemble a garden.

[Images courtesy of Payless Footwear]

- Rose Lou

Duckie Brown

When the first model turned the corner at Duckie Brown, it was clear that designers Steven Cox and Daniel Silver were up to something. Present were the usual immaculate manoeuvrings of fabrics like tweed and wool; and the ”bespoke” elements that turn a sweater into a chic straightjacket and a pair of pants into much-improved harem trousers. I say bespoke here because Duckie Brown has a specific client, and they want that specificity from Duckie Brown. What was new was the unmistakable minimalism: muted tones, almost no accessories. But as we said before, we like less, a lot.

[Images via Kaci Hamilton]

W Hotels Global Glam

For a hotel group synonymous with inimitable style, and locations on just about every continent, it was only a matter of time before W Hotels translated that combination into a global fashion melting pot. For the second time, W presented its Global Glam collection, a gathering of some of the hottest international designers, curated by fashion authority and W Hotels Worldwide Global Fashion Director, Amanda Ross. This year’s presentation featured Mara Hoffman, Eugenia Kim, Paolo Hernandez, Andrea Possé, Shaesby, Twinkle by Wenlan, Catherine Nicole, Fernanda Sibilia, Myne, Contego, iLuck, and Deepa Gurnani. The folks at W had the idea that instead of just having a lounge backstage, they could get closer to the public, with a display of tastes from around the world. Now that’s the kind of thinking we can get behind.

[Images via Allprojectrunway.blogspot.com]

Irina Shabayeva

Since winning Season 6 of Project Runway, Irina Shabayeva has continued to show the world that she is still that force to be reckoned with. Fall 2011 was all about lux contrasts, and embodied a statement Irina herself made: “For me, designing is an expression of who I am as a woman.” On-point minidresses were paired with chunky knits (very reminiscent of her winning look from the Michael Kors “Aspen Challenge”), ballooning gowns were amped up with crystal beading, and laser cut chrysanthemum petal appliqué and cut outs conjured thoughts of her PR alum Christian Siriano. It seems the Irina Shabayeva woman is a lot like the designer herself: focused, self-assured and, of course, chic.

[Images via Style.com]

Buckler

No offense Lincoln Center, we love the tents and all, but when Andrew Buckler blocked off his stretch of Grand St to create his Fall 2011 runway, we knew that’s where the action was. The gesture was just another step in Buckler’s homage to urban street art and the artists who create it. The collection was about the refined ruggedness of the craft, of the anonymity that comes with being a street artist, and a revamping of utilitarian staples – overalls, parkas, cargo pants. These are pieces that express individuality, simplicity, and a willingness to evolve, much like their inspiration.

-Kaci Hamilton

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Anne Bowen

Guests of Anne Bowen‘s show were treated to a lot of  leg, super-high heels, and tight dresses with flowing trains and sashes at her Spring 2011 collection. The theme was “deconstructed formality;” uber short, uber sexy pieces with both soft and edgy masculine elements, like a delicate sash billowing off a taupe one-shoulder or a blue pinstripe short suit. The designer kept the color palette muted, with a majority of silver and nude. Known for her bridal wear, Bowen did not disappoint, as the finale piece was a Swarovski crystal beaded asymmetrical one-shouldered number. Daring brides who are ready to show some skin and leg on their big day now know where to look.

[Images via Elle.com]

Christian Siriano

There were 4o reasons to celebrate at Project Runway sensation Christian Siriano’s Spring 2011 collection. The king of “fierce”  maintained the impeccable craftsmanship and returned to the drama that made him the winner of PR Season Four, with pieces inspired by his travels in  Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean. The travel inspiration was evident from the first look:  white slim fit pants and a cognac “safari chic” leather jacket, right through to his last creation –  the fiery red tulle concoction was wonderfully impractical, yet consistent with Siriano’s over-the-top elaborate aesthetic.

[Images via  Elle.com]

Cushnie et Ochs

Design team Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs know how to put on a show. From the eerily wafting fog to the ethereal trip-hop soundtrack, the Cushnie et Ochs show was a cohesive experience, seemingly less about the glaring-lights-go-go-go routine of other shows and more about a sultry method of displaying the much more fluid collection this season. Less evident were some of the skin-tight, monotone mini-dresses, replaced with looser shifts in solids and the collection’s signature gray, peach and white floral print. Nevertheless, for the strong, empowered Cushnie et Ochs woman, the usual suspects — sheer elements, sharp cut-outs, and surprising pops of leather – are here to stay.

[Images via mbfashionweek.com]

Concept Korea

Three designers, three shows within a show, three very different visions. Kwak Hyun Joo, Juyoung Lee, and Lee Jean Youn came together to create a show that was fun yet serious and crafted, with mixed media (videos kicking off each designer’s collection on a huge plasma screen at the head of the runway) and mixed sexes. Pucca by Hyun Joo featured pop art –  comic book-like prints that were a flirty, free cascade down the runway, with playful additions like ruffles on skirts, fluorescent mesh and tassels on strategically-placed shirt zippers. Lee’s men’s collection, Resurrection, was like an homage to Scottish Military Goth, if such a thing existed, with a sea of black punctuated by cargo pants under kilt-like pleated skirts and strappy, military shirts and jackets. Youn’s collection was an ending full of contrasts, mixing leather and feathers, snake skin and organza, salmon and black and throwing in a little bridal at the end for good measure.

-Kaci Hamilton

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• Britney Spears is the new spokesmodel for Candies?!?!?
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[Images via Style.com & Elle.com]

There’s been a major time lapse since my last one-liner show review, so I thought it was time I put up the final installment of the extremely brief New York Fashion week reviews! Here’s the remaining four from the last Thursday of fashion week – enjoy!

Brian Reyes: With the teetering models aside, the strong collection executed amazing pleating, tailoring and prints, which will surely give other designers in his league some heavy competition!

Rebecca Taylor: Girly comfort dressing that one can wear over and over and over again via cozy knits, feminine ruffles, and a tiny bit of leopard print

Ports 1961: Inspired by India, Tia Cibani chose to work with dramatic shapes in a mostly pale color palette, which made the pieces of color pop even more.

Christian Siriano: It was love at first sight, with all of the sharp cuts (the jackets!!!) and expected drama present (head pieces!) with an amazing surprise — his incredible Payless shoe collection!

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jack mackenroth and becky newton

We ran into one of our favorite people, the incredibly-talented Project Runway Season 4 contestant Jack Mackenroth during New York Fashion Week. He graciously agreed to field some of our most important fashion week-related questions!

FP: What collection just completely blew you away during NY fashion Week?
JM: I have to say my favorite collection was Christian Siriano. I was so proud of him I cried like a baby. He took his concepts to a whole new level. The construction was so complicated and gorgeous. He took the concept of puff sleeves and opened them up into strips of fabric. So fierce. Every look was absolutely amazing!

jack & rubin singer

I also loved Rubin Singer and for men I thought John Crocco pulled out an amazing collection for Perry Ellis. He really pushed the aesthetic of the Perry Ellis brand and was much more fashion forward then I’ve ever seen. I loved the khaki fabric with the embroidered polka dots. I missed Diane Von Furstenberg and I was so bummed. I heart her!

FP: Was there a particular trend you saw that you loved?

JM: It seemed like the season of the paillette. I saw leaf shaped paillettes, clear paillettes, matte and shiny — all different shapes and sizes. I loved it.  I also think the trend of sheer and flowing fabrics is here to stay. It was everywhere. Also — harem pants. EWWWWWWW. They were everywhere. Not cute.

FP: Who was your favorite celebrity sighting?

jack, ana ruiz, and vanessa williams

JM: My absolute most favorite celeb sighting was at the Patricia Field fashion show! First of all it was a fabulous party atmosphere put on by MAO PR, and was full of drag queens and fashion superstars. I was in the front row sandwiched between Judith Light, Becki Newton, Ana Ruiz, and Vanessa Williams (all from Ugly Betty). They were so hilarious and nice.

FP: What was your favorite freebie?

JM: Ooooh–Perry Ellis gave out a fab bottle of cologne. I got an MP3 player at the Valentino party and a gorgeous watch at the opening of the Fossil store on 34th street.

FP: How did you “decompress” after fashion week? (I went out of town, even if it was just to Connecticut, for the weekend!)

JM: You know what? I didn’t get to at all. The next day I had to write a speech and powerpoint presentation for The US Conference on AIDS in Fort Lauderdale. I left 3 days after fashion week and just got back. Now I have to make a wedding dress out of 3000 white condoms for the Condom Couture fashion show for an Evening of Hope HIV benefit in San Francisco on October 15th.  Then I have to make a chocolate Wonder Woman costume with Zac Young, the pastry chef from Butter, for the Chocolate show on November 6th. Woo-hoo!!

FP: We heard that you and Kevin Christiana have something in the works – can you reveal a bit about it to us?

JM: Yes–It’s very exciting. We are co-hosts and co-designers on a new “re-design” show where we work with one female candidate each episode and we ambush her wardrobe and remake them into some fabulous creations. It’s a little bit Project Runway meets Queer Eye (with only one queer) and it has a really cute hook that makes it original… We also hope to rope in some of our favorite designers throughout the season.

FP: When you have your next show, who are the three people you would most definitely have in the front row?

JM: If I ever show at Bryant Park I would want my mom, Tim Gunn and Linda Evangelista sitting in the front row.

FP: And last, of all, we’d love for you to analyze three looks from New York Fashion week for us:

look #1) Herve Leger by Max Azria
JM: I am a child of the 80s and 90s and I loved the origianl Herve Leger and am digging the update. It takes a killer bod to wrap yourself in “ace bandages” but I love the shimmer and it would make a woman look gorge!

look #2) Alexandre Herchcovitch
JM: I thought this collection was very conceptual rather than wearable. I liked some of the prints and some of the great military details but I don’t think you will be seeing crotch ruffles on the streets anytime soon.

look #3) William Rast
JM: I really like this look by William Rast; I would wear the entire look. Denim seems to be moving away from the overdone back pocketing and dark wash, and back to the distressed look of the 80′s. I love the tee and the jacket.

A special thanks to Jack Mackenroth for sharing his thoughts and pictures with Fashion Pulse!

– Julia DiNardo