#NYFW: Christian Siriano Spring 2015

Christian Siriano is no doubt Project Runway’s most celebrated alumni.  The impish designer showed his spring 2015 collection in Chelsea yesterday, surrounded by a crowd of celebrities and hardcore fans.

Before the fashion show, there the crowd was hyped up about Orange is the New Black stars Uzo Aduba and Jackie Cruz. Supermodel Coco Rochas and lovely Mena Suvari were in attendance.  One of my favorite comedians Amy Schumer was holding court and making people laugh. Jada Pinkett Smith was smoldering with her upcoming show Gotham ready to launch.

The crowd hushed quickly when the fashion show started. The collection started with a group of beautiful white dresses. The silhouettes were reminiscent of the high glamour of the 1980’s but made in more contemporary fabrics. There were slick 80’s blue and mint green outfits paired with blown out blonde hair and sunglasses, very Rodeo Drive. 

I loved the beading and embroidery of many of his looks in the second half of the fashion show. Siriano has a great sense of being able to take classic Haute Couture references and re-interpret them for a younger, modern crowd.  I keep noticing that looks that appear on his runway “inspire” more established designers two seasons later, probably designers he once looked up to.

Christian Siriano blasted out of the reality show spotlight and flourished amazingly well ever since. As skeptical as I am about up-and-comers, I have to admit this Siriano is going to be an icon in the making.

photos by Mariana Leung

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Ladies Rule the Rock and Republic Runway for Kohls

It was a night of rock and roll style from kick-ass ladies.  Action star Zoe Saldana, model Molly Sims,musician Ashlee Simpson and actress Mena Suvari came out to celebrate the Rockand Republic collection launch for Kohl’s. 

The Hammerstein ballroom in midtown Manhattan was built out in an elaborate litrunway for a parade of edgy, rock-inspired denim fashions.  Tops were really sexy, with metallic fabrics,studded embellishments, sequins or shoulder-bearing cuts.  Jeans were slim, in a range of colors.  Really short shorts and miniskirt lengths bared sexy legs.

Accessories really brought edge to the runway looks. Feathered earrings and layered necklaces gave that rocker edge.  Chunky bracelets, sharp fedoras and compact little clutch purses elevated casual outfits to more sleek ensembles.  Colored pumps or studded platform heels kicked up the diva factor in footwear

Seeing the show styled so well with the accessories really helps me in my own denim dressing…I’m not a jeans girl on a regular basis.  I’m old school in feeling like I need to be put together anywhere I go.  The embellished tees and accented denim ensembles totally showed me that jeans can be a high fashion statement (without breaking the bank!).

I already picked out my favorites from shopping online last week.  After seeing the show, my new favorites are bright red jeans and the foil printed studded one-shoulder top.

Need a peek at the show?  Check out the video:

Kohl's provided compensation to me as an incentive to blog about the Rock & Republic launch event.  The opinions expressed herein are those of this author, and they have not been reviewed or approved by Kohl's in advance.

Photos by Mariana Leung and Glam director Robert McConnell   

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