My very first New York Fashion Week show and review
I had never previously heard of Costello Tagliapietra, but judging by the stellar front row opposite me at their show last Thursday afternoon (Hamish Bowles, Leigh Lezark, Angela Simmons, Susan Sarandon), it was safe to assume they were a big deal.
And for me they captured exactly what New York fashion does best: feminine wearable clothes with a little twist. It was mainly simple nipped-in dresses with a supposed ‘Beetlejuice’ inspired print plus a statement blue/grey evening dress knotted at the waist, and made sporty by its t-shirt material. They also incorporated a lot of drapery and soft jersey separates with leggings and tunic looks which harked back to a couple of years ago. The colour palette was very A/W 2011 with rusts, oxbloods and aubergines alongside greys and blues. The stand-out elements were the killer black trousers with front drapery, the grey pointy heels with contrasting straps, and the blue nails which mimicked Beyonce’s in her first post baby appearances. The designer themselves were the Teddy New York version of the Big Fat Hairy Bikers which was a surprise looking at their soft feminine and skilful collection.
It can be described as ‘a safe collection’ but, as a designer, why wouldn’t you be in this financial climate?
