Somehow the tents have been devoid of most drama this season, it’s as if the collective fashion industry decided to swallow a klonopin and take itself a little less seriously.
One designer who never seems to show any signs of stress (maybe it’s his perpetual tan?) is Yigal Azrouel. Besides the fact that he’s the only designer who draws more lustful stares at his final bow than the clothes preceding him, Yigal’s show is a reliable source of edgy, of-the-moment fashion for both sexes.
There’s always a synergy and interchangeable androgyny at Yigal between the men’s and women’s lines, though this season it was less pronounced. The men’s collection was strongly on trend, down to trousers tucked into socks, just like in Milan. Come next Fall, men will have a strong choice of outerwear from Yigal with hybrid coats constructed from tweed and leather. Those shopping the women’s collection will find an array of statement party dresses with sexy, sophisticated and often asymmetrical designs making a bold ’80s statement.
The calm that I thought had evaporated really only set in like the snow around Bryant Park by the time Christian Siriano’s show started. The Project Runway alum is the most successful product of reality TV to date (possibly with the exception of Snooki from Jersey Shore) and his front row was testament to his status. All clumped together were Kat DeLuna, Mena Suvari, Veronica Webb, Kirsten Johnson and our Lady of Fashionable Detachement, Amber Rose.
As for the clothes, Christian certainly has a discernable aesthetic. Every dress had his mark of sophisticated, if overly theatrical, femininity. This season the clothes were muted in blacks and grey and characterized by the usual ruffles and pleats for which Siriano made his name (and “fierce”) on Project Runway.
Rounding out the menswear for the day was a stop at the Angel Orensanz Foundation for Gilded Age’s presentation. Inside the scene was more saloon than salon with models sitting around tables in Western era, Americana styles. Tailored pieces like wool overcoats were contrasted with flannel shirt and giant lumberjack boots. Though the styling was Jesse James, there were plenty of wearable pieces when deconstructed.