New York Fashion Week: Day Three Style Snippets

Friday, September 7th, 2007

New York Fashion Week: Day Three Style Snippets

J Mendel

Oh, to be a J Mendel girl! To be one is to hibernate in lush furs during winter then, once the warm-weather hits, live in layers of chiffon all summer long. For spring 2008, the Mendel maid has kicky trumpet skirts, taffeta shorts, and of course, a slew of ethereal frocks to choose from. For seductive types, Mr. Mendel’s coy two-tone halter dress shows off lean limbs.

Chaiken

If only Studio 54 was as uncomplicated as this! For spring Julie Chaiken showed clean, fuss-free versions of key ‘70s styles, from high-waist trousers and fluid silk frocks, to tailored shirt-dresses and halter tops. The mood was light-hearted and pure—quite unlike the original vibe of the debauched era—just right for those warm, laid-back evenings that will return come spring.

Tracy Reese

Rihanna’s summer hit “Umbrella,” seems to have influenced the fashion crowd this season; Reese was the second designer in two days to send models down the runway toting embellished umbrellas. Either that or—more likely—spring’s romantic ‘30s mood is gaining strength. Reese’s jaunty shorts and halter looks, ruffled sundresses, and bias-cut gowns made for an Art Deco meets Coney Island dream.

Cynthia Rowley

Tough the talented Miss Rowley started her show off with models whizzing down the runway in basket-accented retro bicycles, her spring collection was far from being cutesy. Instead the designer took a light-hearted approach to some of the trends we’ve seen thus far: ‘70s pantsuits, ‘90s minimalism, and Deco shapes. Her biggest success were simple khaki shifts, pastel-colored suits, and two-tone dresses—a big, but hard to photograph trend for spring.

Max Azria

It’s no surprise that Max Azria borrows from the same inspiration as its little sister label BCBG. Like the BCBG spring collection which debuted on Wednesday, this season’s Azria line set the mood with lingerie-inspired separates, though the crowd—which included Molly Sims, Carrie Underwood, Nicole Richie, Mya, Ciara, and more—didn’t seem to mind at all. Plenty of slip dresses paraded down the runway, many of which resembled flapper-style underpinning, while others took on a more bohemian bent thanks to delicate dip-dyed hems.