Gorgeous Year-Round Fashion took Center Stage
By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat
New York City’s Lincoln Center came to life thanks to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) from September 4-11, with a line-up of over 100 designers showing their Spring/Summer 2015 Collections. Dozens of top names in fashion presented a variety of looks that, despite having been created for “spring” would be considered “year-round” fashion in South Florida. As expected, resort wear ruled the runways- floral and artsy prints, pastels and patterns prevailed, as did sleek, structured pieces. Black and white and monochromatic looks were showcased once again this season along with bold and bright colors.
Among the world’s most renowned designers, Mercedes Benz showed off a trendsetter of its own, the all-new 2015 S63 AMG Coupe. This new vehicle is the latest dream car in the Mercedes-Benz-AMG portfolio. In celebration of the S63 AMG Coupe, the luxury car manufacturer partnered with fashion-tech pioneer CuteCircuit to showcase the intersection of fashion, luxury and technology. Upon entering the lobby of the tents, guests at MBFW were drawn to CuteCircuit’s technological couture display, which parallels the featured vehicle with its innovative, technology-infused fashion garments. The striking LED wearable fashion was modeled throughout the week by Mercedes-Benz product specialists. Guests enjoyed learning about the smartphone app, which changes the color of the garments at the touch of a button.
Frenzied fashion media were also treated to the Mercedes-Benz “Mobile Office.” Mercedes-Benz S-Classes and Sprinter Vans, with mobile hot spots, were outfitted with energizing refreshments and “fashion emergency kits” to meet the needs of fashion editors as they traveled to and from events throughout the week.
The Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge was the place to see and be seen, where celebrities, models, designers, customers and editors congregated for refuge from the sweltering outside temperatures and the commotion of the tents while networking and catching up on the latest news circulating the shows. The Star Lounge was designed by Bronson Van Wyck to create a bold, unique and, above all, comfortable environment. The following celebrities and VIPS were spotted in the Star Lounge: Carmen Electra, Christina Milian, Erin Heatherton, Peyton List, Louise Roe, Vicky Jeudy, Nick Loeb, Brandon W. Jones, Phillip Bloch, Fern Mallis, Glenda Bailey and Real Housewives Camille Grammer, Sonja Morgan, Jill Zarin, Ramona Singer, and Alex McCord. Other notables included: Project Runway designers Layana Aguilar, Samantha Black, Sonjia Williams, and Jay Sario; Olympic medalist Brianne McLaughlin; Argentine polo player and model, Nacho Figueras; NY Jets Player Leger Douzable; Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler; Miss USA 2012 Nana Meriwether, Miss Teen USA 2014 K. Lee Graham and Miss USA 2011, Alyssa Campanella.
Here’s a rundown of a few of our favorite runway shows during this season’s MBFW.
The Fashion Shows
Diane von Furstenberg
“Simplicity and sexiness, that’s what people want- at a price that’s not outrageous,” Diane von Furstenberg told Vogue in 1976, following her Newsweek cover story. At the time, she was described as “the most marketable female in fashion since Coco Chanel.” Nearly 40 years later, this remains the case and was plainly evident during the designer’s Spring 2015 runway show. Von Furstenberg, well known for designing clothes in which you can work and (most of all) have a good time, presented a sultry and sexy fashion show this season, a departure from the “summer Disco party,” theme from last season’s “Oasis” show.
The collection was lighthearted and included black in every single look. From structured bikini bra tops and pareo side-wrap skirts, to black-and-white gingham to prints that were intermixed with royal blue, bright pink, yellow and emerald green. Models sashayed and strutted to sexy music by Barry White before Naomi Campbell closed the show and led the final procession in a flowing white dress with splashes of pink, red and black to the song, “Illusion.” At the end of the show, von Furstenberg took her final bow in a short, loose-fitting emerald green dress that showed off her lovely legs and danced and sang along to the 1972 Italian pop classic “Parole, Parole (Talk, Talk).” As usual, Diane left us plenty to talk about.
Yigal Azrouël
The Yigal Azrouël Spring 2015 collection was a tribute to early surf culture, featuring elegant lounge wear silhouettes in airy silk fabrics, celebrating the relaxed luxury of the season. Looks included tailored sarong inspired trousers, 3D palm leaf appliqués, collared shirts, and lavish palm embroidery. Sophisticated sportswear and variations of the one piece swim suit included detailed finishes and exaggerated volume. The color palate ranged from pale pinks, crisp blues, splashes of merlot and army green. The show evoked nature in the clothes’ breezy fluidity and the reappearing palm print- symbolic of the deep rooted strength of Yigal Azrouël’s “unwavering muse.”
Nanette Lepore
For Spring 2015, Nanette Lepore “wanted to see what it would look like to juxtapose early 60’s California free-spiritedness with the elegance and body-lines of the south of France at the same moment in time.” The result was a fun-filled show that started with a loose, yellow shirtdress with deep pockets, followed by similar looks in light blue and blush pink on silk slip dresses, swimsuits and off-the-shoulder dresses with flared bell sleeves evocative of the 60s bohemian look Lepore was after this season. Other crowd pleasers included a strapless cutout sheath and a head-turning halter dress.
The highlight of the show was Nanette’s daughter, Violet Savage, who walked the runway and closed the show for the first time this season. She was only a few months old when Nanette carried her in her arms at her first runway show and has appeared with her mom ever since – like a fashion week time tracker. When asked about Violet’s first walk, Nanette shared: “Everyone’s watched Violet grow up on the runway. She’s matured into an incredible and beautiful young woman. I can’t even tell you how proud I am to have her close my show this season! I didn’t breathe the whole time she walked the runway.” Instead of the “designer finale lap,” Lepore’s brother and niece led the designer and models in an over-the-top Conga line.
Other favorites include the following:
Carolina Herrera: Flowers, Flowers, Everywhere
Floral prints along with experimental imagery walked the runway during the Carolina Herrera Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear Show. Herrera’s well known classic styles and beautiful creations were seen throughout the collection in a variety of floor length gowns, palazzo pants, and lovely dresses.
Tommy Hilfiger’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Inspired by the 60’s and 70’s, Hilfiger transformed The Armory into a Sgt, Peppper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band dreamscape for his Ready-to-Wear Spring 2015 Runway show. “I’ve had a dream of doing a full collection of rock-style clothing for a very long time now. People don’t really know me now for my love of music—the Beatles, the Stones, Hendrix, the Who—so I thought I would celebrate my passion, my beginnings, my roots,” said Hilfiger about the collection.
Michael Kors: American Optimism
An optimistic vibe strutted the runway to the tune of Be My Baby by The Ronettes during the Michael Kors Spring 2015 RTW show at Spring Studios. With a star studded audience that included Jessica Chastain, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Olivia Munn, and Mary J. Blige, as well as Project Runway “bffs” Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia, Kors filled the room with happiness combining neutral hues and gingham with floral details.
Honorable Mentions
Trina Turk
Trina Turk Spring/Summer 2015 Collection brings smiles and a warm fuzzy feeling to mind. As the deep freeze of winter sets in, the RTW collection of cheerful prints and bright colors makes us hopeful that Spring/Summer is right around the corner.
Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang was all smiles as he headed down the runway following his Spring/Summer 2015 RTW line. Wang’s collection embraced the latest “sport-craze on steroids” body-con dresses in neon colors and sleek street-style couture. Front row notables included: Nicki Minaj, Rhianna, Lauren Hutton, Harry and Peter Brant Jr., Julia Restoin-Rotfeld, and Giovanna Battaglia.
