DC FASHION WEEK NIGHT TWO:
Designers from around the globe showcased lace, leather, pastels and pearls at the during the second day of D.C Fashion Week ‘10.
By Ansley Brown
Designers:
Haute Couture by Ruben Gonzales
Lavill
What We Liked: The show kicked off with Mexican based designer Artemiza Cruz’s line entitled Lavill. Cocktail dresses with lace trim detail and bustier inspired creations sent an erogenous feel from the white runway to the seats of the audience.
- The second line to debut was TATA, a Serbia based line designed by Tatjana Tatalovic. Silk off the shoulder Grecian inspired silk dresses brought a high-class Dubai aura to the Cultural Center. The mood then quickly changed from sandy silk dresses to black sexy sheer tops with organza detail paired with black skin tight faux-leather leg wear. Although the sheer black tops exemplified radiance and glamour, the faux-leather pants, could be written off as an amateur. The “black out” was then followed by floor length royal red chiffon detail dresses which created a beautiful end to the first part of the show.
- Intermission was a spectacle of Brazilian dancers who, for 15 minutes, transported the runway show to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Dancing and clapping down the runway in colorful beaded costumes and feather head dresses, the dancers showcased another important element of international culture.
What We Did Not Like: TATA had some strong pieces, but not strong enough to outshine the black plastic/leather pants and shredded paper mache’ dresses.
The last designer to showcase their collection was Ruben Gonzales with his Haute Couture collection. Two themes were apparent during his segment of the show-Old Hollywood glamour and Latin spice. Models also walked the runway in Victorian age dresses, paired with hats resembling those worn during the 1920’s Jazz age. Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady paired with Zora Neale Hurston during the Harlem Renaissance often led to transitions which did not play out gracefully during this segment of the show. Luckily, there was also an array of well-crafted and elaborately designed cocktail dresses and stunning floor length gowns that saved the collection. A ruby colored silk gown with black beaded detail made the cut but the ivory colored wedding gown paired with a floor length lace veil worn by Miss.D.C. 2009, was too short and too 1980’s prom.
Final Thought: The shows lacked a coherent inspiration and at times seemed monotonous. Also, the harsh color schemes that followed pastels and whites did not blend well on the runway. However, all three designers did a descent job of displaying international fashion and bringing it to the nation’s capital. They have a way to go before they reach the late Alexander McQueen’s status, but the audience was entertained, and that’s a good thing.
From sexy silk dresses to floor length ivory gowns, this event proved that D.C Fashion Week is taking baby steps to catch up with its big sister in New York, but those are big Manolos to fill.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/9744753[/vimeo]
Designed by TATA, a sexy silk off the shoulder dress graced the runway. Photo by Damion Miller
Miss D.C. 2009 wears a Madonna inspired wedding dress, veil and all. Photo by Damion Miller
