Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Day 2 Recap
Meaning "Bon chic bon genre" (good style, good attitude.) Max and wife Lubov Azria's first of three lines showing this season (upcoming are Hervé Léger and the eponymous Max Azria collections) was a simple collection of airy dresses in neutral hues. The show opened with parade of clean white summer dresses that were followed by ones in light grey and taupe. BCBG offers a mostly silken Spring/Summer with smooth elegance to give a cooling effect to sultry evenings. Slight splashes of color floated through the presentation in reds, orange and yellow, delighting front row fans Kelly Rowland, Olivia Palermo, Ashlee Simpson and Coco Rocha.
Ports 1961
Do these things ever start on time? Word has it that editors caught in traffic from Jason Wu's downtown show held up production on Fiona Cibani's 3 p.m. start time, but the wait was well worth it. More neutral shades dominated the runway with the quirky tailoring Ports is known for. At once, ultra modern and organic in appearances, Ports 1961 is a growing favorite with celebrities such as Olivia Palermo of "The City" and newcomer to Fashion Week, "Will and Grace's" Eric McCormack, who was impressed by the show. He described it as "very natural and reflective of a Canadian sensibility," although he didn't know Fiona was his fellow countryman until I told him so. This is Fiona Cibani's first time leading the label on her own, as sister and former creative director Tia Cibani stepped down this season to focus on her children's wear line Kico Kids.
Edition by Georges Chakra
After the day's parade of discrete tones, Edition by Georges Chakra exploded with some very necessary elegance. Gowns that with dripped with jewel-like luster in gold, platinum, amethyst and aquamarine BEGGED to be taken to the red carpet. Crystal detailing draws attention to neckline, and, in some cases, extending around the posterior. These are not frocks for the shrinking violet, and even the samples in white were more vixen than virtuous. Basket weaving on a small selection of the collection did feel like a bulky afterthought against their sleeker sisters.
Fashion's Night Out
Manhattan's major shopping districts were swamped with fashion fanatics eager to take part in Fashion's Night Out – the global shopping initiative created by Vogue Magazine's Anna Wintour to boost industry revenue in the slumped economy.
The Lady herself was out taking a tour of events all over the city, even schlepping up to Macy's in Queens to motivate the masses. Conspicuous consumption now has a day all it's own and everyone, from celebrities to never-be's were out late taking advantage of the discounts and free bubbles.
We were lucky to spot Nicky Hilton tucked into a corner at Lanvin - there for artist Terence Koh's performance. (credit: Alison McLaughlin)
Unfortunately, we arrived too late to enjoy Naomi Campbell's dance routine at Dolce and Gabbana (a co-lab with Lady Gaga's choreographer), but were lucky to spot Nicky Hilton tucked into a corner at Lanvin, there for artist Terence Koh's performance.
