WEST 57TH STREET SALONS OPEN FOR EDITORIAL PREVIEW
Text, Images by J. Ecochard
Mid-town Manhattan has got a bit of a fashion buzz busier with two open houses staged for the press this week.
Hollywould, a wearable fun collection of shoes, bags and clothing is the au courant, contemporary spawn of Holly Dunlap. We always love to see what she’s up to- and her Cruise 2009 is spot-on sophisticated and adorable.
FOR NOW too…we wish the deliveries were June 2008 instead of November.
In a Palm Beach mood fused with the chic- via the Brigitte Bardot song “La Madraugue” that hears the French temptress cooing about a deserted beach full of seashells and starfish, or coquillage et crustacés - Hollywould’s saturated colors and graceful styles now reference Miami’s hotness too.
SHOES and BAGS
Noting that “my Cruise is a collection of specials and basics-like ballet flats that still sell like crazy, “ Dunlap (re) emphasized her focus on “timeless elegance for the Palm Beach and southern gal…that’s a bit more sexed up to push that girl a bit.”
We like the eye-popping fushia pink and orange, chunky stacked heel sandals with bold matching chain link shoulder bags “one of my favorites…for the Miami gal” that exemplifies the designer’s thinking to a chi-chi “T.”
An oversized black and white satchel with tasteful gold hardware- “it’s fun” – with matching solid white or black-heeled sandals should also get the nod from retailers from coast to coast.
Signature jeweled flat sandals “more Palm Beach” and dainty lace cut booties and sandals- with cute embroidered trims and colored stones- are perfect for yachters on the Rivera or suburban moms hauling the ‘off from school’ kids around.
READY-TO-WEAR
Flirty seersucker, stretchy silk georgette, and breezy silk jersey fabrics dominate the sorbet smooth palette of a smartly edited collection of beach-to-cocktail frocks. As Dunlap observes, “I design what my sisters and staff would wear…like baby dolls, to minis…to what’s outdoor wedding perfect.”
DEVANI
Brand new to the upscale shoe world is Devani Italian for “…from vanity.”
The affordable, well crafted shoes and boots for Fall 2008- officially ready to the world on May 27th … has great legs, metaphorically speaking.
Luckily we grabbed some time to chat with the talented designer, Carol De Leon- who taking cues from her father, an architect… incorporates Art Deco and geometric patterns into the mode collection. This is admirably apparent in the stacked leather heels, and spectator pump cuts that “are constructed to support the weight of the body too.”
De Leon also “watches the runway collections” and the largely neutral, wear with anything black, tan, browns, and burgundy colors are punched up with shots of gold. Italian leathers, patent and suede- in the modified riding boot and men’s inspired oxfords-insure that these shoes “don’t look like anybody else.”
A small sample of Spring looks are also available. We love the braided flats and use of ethnic beads in a fetching, high heeled strapped number as we think details matter.
We also love the price points-with most shoes clocking in below $200.
