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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