Tapei born, Parson’s grad Jason Wu was 23 years old when he burst on the scene for spring 2007 and has been garnering his share of attention ever since; he is unquestionably, one to watch. On Wednesday afternoon, he showed his short (20 pieces and many of them were SHORT: dresses, skirts, shorts), sweet (yet not cloyingly sweet), yet sophisticated resort collection, in an inviting and very civilized café style setting. Guests (including Constance White, Laurie Schechter, Patrick McDonald) were seated at small round bistro tables and were served champagne while they watched the quick and to the point formal runway collection.
Not only was the clothing easy on the eyes; the venue of choice, The Park, (located 10th Avenue and 17th street), with its trees, greenery, and light airy atrium feeling, was correspondingly pleasant as well and the perfect setting to show an easy, breezy, and airy resort line. Of course, the weather outside (sunny blue skies albeit cool and breezy) didn’t hurt. All I could say it’s lucky for him that he hadn’t scheduled this for Monday (as did Luca Luca and Oscar de la Renta), when Hurricane Barry hit these parts causing flooding and traffic delays around town.
Hallmarks of the line were its chicly neutral color palette (ivory, ecru, mauve, lilac, grey, navy, black); soft and drapey fabrics (chiffon, organza, silk charmeuse) which played off the stiffer silk twill, silk faille and silk taffeta);
lingerie touches; and the light handed, delicate details (hand appliqués, feathered edgings, petals, tulip ruffles, multi layering, pleats and micro pleats, pin-tucks, and trickling mirror finished sequin embellishment). Nothing was forced or overdone; it was all subtle and easy.
Standouts include the black chiffon shift with hand appliquéd chiffon petals and feathered edging; the silk twill and organza color block dress with multi layered skirt; an ecru silk twill one shouldered dress with plaid binding; a silk plaid sheath shown under an ecru silk twill ¾ sleeve coat pleated coat; the lilac organza top shown over silk plaid Bermuda shorts; and several dresses with asymmetrical hems including the layered silk organza ‘Degas’ dress with a black taffeta bow back.
–Marilyn Kirschner
