new season, new venue, new cfda womenswear of the year designer oscar de la renta really turned up the lusciousness with a beautiful collection of day dresses, sophisticated suiting and red carpet ready gowns. it was really all about the mix of the old and the new for the designer: he presented his show at an old church on park avenue (old church, new venue), and seated in the front row were victoria beckham, roger federer and anna wintour. instead of the traditional runway music, the band polyphonic spree played along while the girls walked along the half circle runway.
in terms of the clothing, it was really more of the same, but in a new location, it all somehow seemed fresher and newer, and even a bit better. there were ethnic print sundresses, crochet skirt suits, intricate beaded day coats, lantern sleeve blouses, slim ankle pants. and bright taffeta ruffle hem dresses.
for evening, gowns featured floral prints, tiered skirts, leaf layers, allover beading, off the shoulder tapestries, draped chiffon and a bold black and white number with large feathers attached to the cummerbund waist. in looking at this collection, it really reminded me how important the location is to the overall look. it’s why marc jacobs has such elaborate sets season after season that really tie into what’s coming down the runway. de la renta really tapped into that, and made the venue as special as the clothes.
