Nostalgia Is As Nostalgia Does
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| From left to right: Pat Cleveland, Niki Taylor, Irinia, Frederique, Carmen, Roshumba & Carol Alt |
The powers behind the Adrienne Vittadini label must have had in their minds that old adage, “the original is always the best”, when they put their collective, pre-Fashion Week heads together, to conjure up a novel and unique way in which to present the new Fall-Winter 2011 collection to editors and invited guests at Lincoln Center. The collection, shown in two intimate runway presentations at The Box, featured among some very good looks, well styled by Lucy Sykes, a chic cadre of models who were instantly recognizeable to many of the more seasoned editors, such as this writer; i.e., “blasts from the past”, such as Carol Alt, Niki Taylor, Pat Cleveland (who danced and pranced and blew kisses to one an all, around the runway, just as she had always done when she was a very well known Halstonette), Irinia, Roshumba, Frederique, and the silver-haired, Carmen, who still has what it takes to show the clothes, albeit, in an older way than in her heyday as a favorite of many an American and European designer.
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| Pat Cleveland |
As for the clothes, which are geared to another type of older, 40+ woman, the story here is all about “Modern Muses”, as described in the show program. “Each of these women (the models on the runway and the shoppers in the store, no doubt) expresses her spirit through fashion, exudes ageless style and radiates confidence”. Right on.
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| Carmen |
Although not every look on this runway was a winner, there were several ensembles that did hit the right mark. The tannin knit hourglass dress with ribbed sleeve, that fit Alt like a second skin,was sexy and cool. The granite tweed deep v-neck knit dress and charcoal batwing fine guage knit oponcho over tulip skirt, modeled by Cleveland, were super cool and totally wearable. An excellent pairing of a black, butter-soft leather, asymmetrical zip-jacket over sleeveless lace blouse with wisp crepe de chine long skirt, shown by Taylor, seems to be more than covetable, to say the very least.
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| Niki Taylor |
Trending on this runway are moderne, spirited, wearable, clothing, generally geared for real women, who are not necessarily the rail thin, pouty, 18-year-old little girls, that more than just a handful of designers seem to adore. And this is quite an interesting point to ponder, when taking this viewpoint.
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| Frederique |
Kudos to the designers behind the Vittadini label; all of whom seem to totally make their creative statement and their marketing intentions clear. Judging from what they sent down the runway this season, and the types of models that were chosen to show the line, this team knows their market and understands just who their customer really is. And, that is a refreshing change to see at Fashion Week, to be sure.
— Adrienne Weinfeld-Berg
The Daily Bet by Rhonda Erb
Moet & Chandon invites you to throw an Oscar Party
Moet & Chandon, the exclusive champagne of the Academy Awards, and entertaining expert, Katie Lee, have teamed up to make sure that your Oscar Party is a winner. Go to http://www.oscars.org/ where you will find easy to prepare recipes for hors d’oeuvres and champagne cocktails, including the Silver Screen Punch that will be served at the Governor’s Ball.
The Silver Screen Punch
1 (6 ounce) can pink lemonade concentrate, partially thawed
8 ounces pineapple juice
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
1 cup Belvedere vodka
1 bottle Moet & Chandon
1 pineapple, cut into rings and frozen
In a blender, combine pink lemonade concentrate, pineapple juice, strawberries, and ginger. Blend until smooth. Pour into a punch bowl. Add vodka and stir to combine. Just before serving, pour in Moet & Chandon. Add frozen pineapple rings.
