New York Fashion Week: Fall 2010
At the Altman Building off of 6th Avenue, Alexander Berardi showed his second show at New York Fashion Week. Raised in New York, he worked with Kenneth Cole and studied at Parsons.
Colors:
Black, white, red, purple, navy
Looks Loved
After his first Spring show, I have to be honest and say that I wasn't expecting to be dazzled. However there were a few hits on his runway this season. A floor length white sequin dress with a draped neck is red carpet ready. His velvet tuxedo was swank, though it wasn't quite fit to the model properly. The rosette suspenders were especially cute, but again were ill-fitted. I would've liked to see them just a bit tighter. The looseness made them loose a bit of their luster. The polka dotted cummerbund that accompanied them was overkill and looked like a hula hoop on the model. I was temped to run out onto the middle of the runway with pins, tape and my sewing kit. "Hold on a sec....[pin tuck tuck pin] okay. good. go" But I would rock that tux after a trip to the tailors.
Unloved Looks
Some of Alexander Berardi's designs teeter on the brink of looking as if they are sold in Forever 21. The parade of looks and the level of skill shown were so incoherent, from gowns, to baby doll dresses to tuxedos. He does show some promise with a few pieces here and there, over all, this is an example of someone who needs to work with more top designers before launching into his own line. With such and over saturation of fashion designers, it doesn't make sense to put on a show until Berardi finds his way. I swear I saw the same white and navy piped trim shirt dress in his Spring show. I had many of dejavu moments, going "wait, that is the same polka dot 20's style skirt and jacket as last season?"
I heard the voices of Micheal Kors, Nina Garcia and Hiedi Klum saying things like " you need to know other designers" and "we question your taste level." This red dress reminds me of the Rosette Valentino bag, only made into an entire dress.
Music
Dance beats typical of the runways including Frances by Pheonix and Siman Moble Disco.
People and Scene
There was way more of a turn out than last seasons show. Ally Hilfiger showed up front row. A crowd of over-booked standers (including myself) waited to fill in empty seats. A young guy dressed in a black blazer patrolled the seating. He was instructed to let standers in ten at a time. I was near the front of the line. He strategically picked out people from the crowd, and by passed me his first three counts. He said " I need you to wait here."
Now, I know a site called Fashion Funhouse Emporium is not on the top of anyones priority list and I will take standing. I know my place in the world of fashion. The seating boy kept looking over my head as if he was granting entrance to some meat-packing district club, looking for only the "hot" people. He had a point if that was the case. But still, AKWARD?! Though, I have a purpose for being there. Its my job to see what is out there for my boss and to write for my blog. My intention was to find a place where I could see, even if it was on the other side of the room, where no one seemed to be standing. If I wasn't trapped in a circle of pushing fashionistas, I would've left the scene.
In the words of Chuck D of Public Enemy - "Don't Don't Da Dont belive the hype...."
To Gift or Not To Gift
Nothing but a hard time.
