Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images of presentation, courtesy of Susan Magrino Agency
Runway image of the Reem Acra RTW fall 2008 show, Dan Lecca for Mercedes-Benz
Time & Place: Sunday, April 13, @ 10:30am,
the Reem Acra Showroom, 530 5th Avenue
Reem took a page from the dozen of RTW designers who opted for a presentation style format in lieu of a full-on runway show these past 2 seasons in New York. That’s not to say that a presentation necessarily means that there won’t be any of the “shush” ie: glamour and excitement – of a runway show.
For starters, Reem’s reception area is as sumptuous as it gets, done up in Diana Vreeland vermillion juxtaposed with modern stainless steel. The showroom surroundings speak of luxe, just like Reem’s bridal and RTW collections.
Expecting a grouping of traditional bridal tableaux, we were astonished to see models dressed-up in items from a little girl’s toy box, ranging from an acetate polka dot slip, to a Minnie Mouse hat to a striped shirt a clown might wear. All of these diverse items were worn with one of Reem’s new gowns from her fall 2008 collection.
A MOMENT WITH REEM:
Reem preempted our question by stating: “What’s this all about? It’s about me dreaming, it’s about me thinking about what’s going to happen to my dresses 20 years down the road from now. It’s about little girls playing with and enjoying my dresses and having fun with them.”
The models were, in fact, appearing to be having fun in their respective living tableaux, Two were posed on a red velvet settee sipping “tea” [big pom pom balls – no liquid], wearing some of Mommy’s cast-off nightgowns artlessly piled on willy nilly atop cream satin column and trumpet gowns.
The gowns in the collection themselves were as romantic and princess like as any little girl could dream and hope of wearing some day. At the entrance, was Reem’s 1st bridal gown, circa 1996, an ivory cap sleeve A-line with satin rosettes on the shoulder and on waist, reminiscent of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy’s fifties bridal gown.
A FEW WORDS WITH STYLIST DAVID YASKI
This was David’s first time collaborating with Reem, The former WWD staffer made a splash with this presentation, which won’t soon be forgotten.
Said David, “ We mixed in a few pieces from the more recent RTW collections, bringing in Reem’s wonderful use of florals and jewel tones and even a few of Reem’s personal items.”
Most striking was Reem’s Sweet 16 fuchsia and black lace strapless mini, which a model wore over one of the current bridal designs.
Although figuring out what the gowns underneath were like was challenging, as when you’re viewing a Galliano show, we could see that the pieces in the new collection were classic Reem. As in past collections, Brides will have tasteful designs in a wide array of shapes, cut from the richest fabrics available to choose from.
The fun and fantasy element lasted even outside the presentation, the Strung Out String Band playing blue grass music outside the reception made us smile as we stepped onto the elevator.
www.reemacra.com