Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images of bridal collection, J. Ecochard
Runway images, Dan Lecca for Mercedes-Benz
Image of fragrance, from Neiman Marcus website
www.neimanmarcus.com
It always makes us happy when talents such as designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka, can go from being an undisputed editorial success to a commercial success as they’ve done since signing on with Iconix. Granted, there were some bumps in the road for the dapper duo before the deal went through, but the guys have come up on top.
Since Badgley Mischka restructured their business and signed on with Iconix, they’ve
had the good fortune to form some good partnerships, such as the one with Franco Franchi , the President of Franchi, a high end handbag manufacturer. Mr. Franchi believed in the Mischka magic, and was the first to sign on and do a license with Badgley Mischka.The evening bags that resulted from the collaboration are absolutely Red Carpet worthy, as are the gowns they continue to design for their signature line, which shows twice annually at Bryant Park.
Many licensing deals have followed: sunglasses, swimsuits and a limited edition fragrance we sampled at Neiman Marcus, which the counter manager at Neiman’s Westchester, reported was “selling nicely”.
THE SPRING 2009 BRIDAL SHOW
There’s such as thing as taking too much on though, and we wondered how they’d fare in designing yet another bridal collection, on the heels of a nearly 40 piece collection they showed in October.
October was the big runway show for anyone showing bridal, so accordingly for their spring 2009 show, B - M showed only 12 new gowns. Although they were ornate they had a more relaxed feel to them than the highly embellished gowns in the October show, that make up the big bridal delivery. We’ve been seeing this trend towards a simpler, more pared-down gown at all the bridal collections this April. It’s a trend that we can appreciate and embrace when it yields results such as #4, a pearl Italian silk strapless with a split front. The detailing, a crystal panel peeking from underneath the folds of chiffon, was just enough. This gown and a blush pink strapless “Kyoto Mikado” gown with art deco banding at the neckline and pleating detail were the standouts. All of these gowns, especially the starkly minimal silk crepe gown with a detachable rhinestone belt would make excellent choices as destination wedding gowns. For a Vegas wedding, there’s the all over crystal cut sequin gown with a low v-front, that’s both flashy AND classy.
www.badgleymischka.com