Daily Front Row

2009 February 17

Runway Reviews

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Alice + Olivia Fall 2009
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(NEW YORK) Alice + Olivia
Alice + Olivia's in-store, interactive collection was a whimsical, nonchalant take on flirty dressing. More springtime than snowtime, her Fall/Winter collection was as sweet and multicolored as the candy confections passed around during the show. Tiered dresses, ruffled blouses and colored separates visible through the storefront windows brought some cheer to the chilly window-shoppers outside. But the real showstoppers were her line of Payless shoes--which, for less than $50 a pop, will put you a foot ahead of the pack without costing you an arm and a leg.

Alejandro Ingelmo
Making shoes that fit a woman's needs and desires, CFDA/Vogue finalist Alejandro Ingelmo makes the kind of shoe porn that's easy on both the eyes and toes--sexy, edgy and breathtakingly high. Alejandro's collection of stilettos and boots not only boost you up about 140 millimeters (that's about 5.5 inches), but also transport you blister-free from 9am-9pm.

Organic by John Patrick
John Patrick's quaint presentation, tucked into the basement of a 37th Street church, was an appropriate mixture of introspective somberness and enthusiastic optimism. '50s inspired silhouettes and details hearkened back to a time of simplicity and thrift, but the organic fabrics made for a modern outlook on responsible fashion . Making clothes that feel good on the body and conscience, John Patrick heralds a new generation of designers who insist on smart clothing for smart shoppers.

William Rast
A true maverick in the singer-goes-designer trajectory, Justin Timberlake and childhood friend Trace Ayala's collection drew an impressive crowd of celebufriends--and an even more impressive bevy of fashion insiders (both Anna and Carine were in attendance), whose smiley backstage photos suggest that a large part of the fascination for William Rast extends beyond the actual clothing. Rast's fall collection appeased both the fashion-interested and the fashion die-hards. Leather jackets, distressed denim, fringed accessories and plaid separates could hop right off the runway and onto the streets, but the sculptural jackets, space-cadet tanks and chic fur pieces could just as easily slink right into the glossiest of editorials.