Runway

Check out the latest catwalk vids from Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week

Monique Lhuillier
The fairy godmother for the luxe set, Lhuillier specializes in outfitting those frequently on the tapis rouge and gala circuit—and she always delivers. This season, jewel tones and lace festooned the runway. To wit: An emerald green, marble patterned strapless chiffon dress with a sexy high slit (Angelina, are you taking note?). An amaranth faille frock, strapless up top and sporting a draped trumpet gown on the bottom, will be a likely starlet choice if the Golden Globes and SAG awards were any indication of what’s popular. Two looks in particular induced a slight bit of magic in the process: an emerald and black ombre column gown sporting flickering, color-changing effects as it moved, and a black spiderweb-sleeved dress with an illusion neckline that elegantly traced the back’s curvature. Lhuillier’s favorite? “I can’t wait to wear the strapless seamed cocktail dress with the net swing overlay.” Until then, Lhuillier plans to hit the slopes in Aspen for four days of much-deserved vacay. Bon voyage!

Alexander Wang: Rebel with a cause! If anyone’s still wondering whether Wang has what it takes to work his wonders at Balenciaga, this collection shows he’s in it to win it. Warm ‘n’ fuzzy fashion revolted against the Neoprene futuristic fabrics blanketing the runways. Here it was all about soft shoulders, luxurious fur coats and wraps, mega-size mittens, and mohair knits that were simply magnifique! Slightly cocooned, occasionally metallic-threaded shapes of those sweaters and sweatshirts was classic Wang in the best way possible. And that far, far downtown setting on the southernmost stretches of Broadway, in the FiDi? Definitely off the beaten NYFW path, to be sure, and pretty glorious, thanks to the chapel-esque tiled, domed ceilings of the Cunard Building.

Lacoste: Antarctic exploration was the theme of Lacoste’s fall show — which walked on an appropriately snowbound New York day. Jackets and sweaters in cool grays and whites bore prints of ice floes and abstracted rocky landscapes. Designer Felipe Oliveira Baptista played with volume in an appealing, space-age throwback kind of way, translated via coat sleeves and boxy jackets. Mid-century touches also included pops of orange and royal blue in the inset-V of a crewneck collar. All in all, it was a fine, sporting collection—and a few show guests looked like they wanted to borrow a piece or two before heading back out into the elements.

Check out the latest catwalk vids from Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week

Yigal Azrouël: Sexy, tailored options abounded for Fall, like trim dresses with daring slits alongside boxy jackets and skinny pants. Fur added a touch of luxe, and the collection included several cute, fur-collared anoraks—a style staple that seemed extra appropriate given that Azrouël showed just as a massive blizzard threatened to paralyze the Northeast. Ponyhair and leather also lent texture, in the form of panels on dresses and sleeves. The collection was mostly black, and it looked sleek and dangerous—like a beautiful woman who may do us harm, according to the designer. “If we touch her, we could get killed,” Azrouël explained to The Daily backstage.