The day started off as another gloomy one, but it quickly brightened when Joanna Mastroianni entered my life. The show started off completely banishing the fall with burnt oranges and bright fuchsia pieces. These cohesive pops of color were seen throughout the collection along with very, very intricate beadwork. The hair was almost rustic and pulled into a mess-prominent bun at the back of the models’ heads. There were very special bright red numbers, one in particular, which I adored, was a full length gown that looked like it was made for the model wearing it. As she sashayed down the runway, all I could think was: that’s perfection; it fit her like a glove. I love hats and this was one of the few shows I had seen this season that incorporated hats into their spring line, so I was very happy when they came down the runway, in flattering shapes and sizes. She also used green and lime silk in the most beautiful way. It’s such a hard color to use and she made it striking.

There were touches of ruffles here and there and plenty of dramatic black in the middle of the collection. She had a number of beaded and patent flower cinch waist belts that I can’t believe any of us are living without. She designed every aspect of her collection in full detail; this includes the back of her dresses and shirts, which each had its own, if not more personality than the front of the outfit. There were two stunning white numbers- with diamante plaited belts, when the music slowed down and evening dresses began to go, or correction, float down the runway in creamy airy textures. She then went into monochrome prints that were very cute and modern, my personal favorite was a monochrome short dress with yellow trimmings. She had a very broad color palette, even including a bright purple and blue dress at one point, but I have to say my all time favorite piece was a simple white number with feathered details and very plain, but precise, beading down the front. Just in case you were wondering, your dog can wear Mastroianni too; a chihuahua was brought on stage wearing a cute lime green number! It was truly sensational, and honestly, she made me re-realize that clothes are in fact an art form.

One of the original supermodels: Carol Alt was front row center, I’ve already started tucking into her new book This Year’s Model (which was in the goody bag!). I can already tell I won’t be putting t down anytime soon! But here is what Carol had to say about the show and her good friend Joanna Mastroianni.

Did you enjoy the show?
Well I love Joanna’s taste and her style. The way she cuts her clothes, the way it shows off the female body; the female form, she really really appreciates women and their bodies, but what is so amazing about Joanna is the material that she chooses. When you’re sitting in the first row and you’re very close and you see that material go by, you can see all the detail in it, she’s very specific about what material for what cut, for what kind of flow. She’s an artist that way and there are very few people who are like that anymore.

Have you worn a few of her pieces in the past?
I have quite a few pieces actually. I have known Joanna for practically the whole of my career, when I was up for model of the year for the CFDA, she was up for designer of the year and I think we both won! So I’ve known her for, literally the first year since I started working.

What was your favorite piece from the show?
You know there were a couple, the gown with the brocade front and the completely cut out sides with the black top, unbelievable, and the girl who walked in it, walked really well. I also like her little dresses. She had the black dress with the patent leather details. I liked the blue one, towards the end with the beaded pieces. They are really like a piece of artwork, they’re so intricate; you could hang them up on the wall. I was actually looking at some of them thinking- oh that would be great for tomorrow night!

If only some of us could just be like oh I’ll have that one!
Yeah well I’m going to Righteous Kill tomorrow night so you know I’m going back stage and going  …. Joanna, I need something for tomorrow! – Francine Uba