Vol.75 Spring/Summer 2011 Collections:3

The fashion show has a variety of forms. Although walking down

the runway is the typical style, there are many different ways to present

a collection. This season and New York Fashion Week’s new setting,

offered unique fashion show production ideas.

Vivienne Tam used technology to help the audience successfully see

details of garments on the runway in a large space.

She used an enormous video screen to simulcast close-ups and details

of what the model was wearing on the runway.

Since she has many dresses and separates in a patchwork of delicate,

handmade lace, crochet and appliqué this season, this video style is

quite a good idea.

Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti’s fashion show had a carpet with the

same bright colors and Chinoiserie-patterned print as her collection.

When models wearing “happy” colors, such as brilliant yellow, orange,

blue and red, walked on the same bright, “happy” colored-carpet,

I felt transported to a China Sea island resort, instead of being here

in New York.

Junko Yoshioka, the wedding dress designer

(http://ameblo.jp/bazaar2009/entry-10522144092.html ),

presented evening dresses for the first time this season.

Flower designer, Kenzi Takenaka

(http://ameblo.jp/bazaar2009/entry-10569399749.html ),

wrapped flowers around the classic columns of the showroom.

The flowers on the columns matched those on her long, lean evening dresses.

Junko worked with fine jewelry designer, Ivanka Trump, to accessorize

her evening gowns with precious stone pieces from Trump’s highly

acclaimed　collection. Junko designs glamorous evening gowns through

the lens of “old” Hollywood for 21st Century women.

I am sure that all women would want to wear such beautiful dresses.

Diesel’s Black Gold casual, modern and sexy collection for strong women,

who live in urban asphalt jungles, was shown in a unique theatrical style.

When we entered the space for the show, curtains covered the windows.

When the first model started to walk on the runway, the curtain dropped

on the stage revealing Manhattan’s skyline as background.

You can see only silhouettes because of back light in these photos,

but Diesel’s sophisticated clothes in exquisite combinations of leather

and soft fabrics, stood out.

Catherine Malandrino displayed her models like sculpture around the

reflecting pool of the Grand Promenade outside Lincoln Center,

which became a main outdoor place to relax during Fashion Week.

The models standing on low platforms looked like sculpture in complete

harmony with the real Henry Moore sculptures in the pool.

With a loose, easy silhouette, in colors of ceramics from the South

of France, beside the water in the pool, I felt a summer breeze.

Tory Burch used a white-on-white runway and backdrop, to let her clothes

with clear colors and the clean, simple silhouettes of the 70’s pop.

Accessories, such as big hemp handbags, high platform shoes with hemp

around the sides, gold hoop earrings and snake bangles, added fun to the looks.