Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, Richard Spiegel
TIME & PLACE: New York Fashion Week,
3:30PM, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008
The Trianon Suite at the Carlyle Hotel,
33 East 76th St., NYC
PR player, PAUL WILMOT and his staff organized a gathering to show-off
Barbara Tfank’s latest. This one was a treat, as it felt as if we were attending a leisurely afternoon tea party at the Carlye rather than hitting yet another of the 30+ fashion presentations we covered that week. Mr. Wilmot was in high spirits, fresh off the high from the deal he struck earlier in the week with PR giant, FLEISHMAN- HILLARD. The association with Hillard takes his boutique PR Company, PAUL WILMOT COMMUNICATIONS to a whole new level. The plan is for Fleishman-Hillard to expand the Wilmot brand to other strategic markets, potentially Los Angeles, London and Tokyo.
In attendance was Harper’s Bazaar contributor and host of VH-1’s “America’s Most Smartest Model host MARY ALICE STEPHENSON as well as stylist AMANDA ROSS, who’s the woman responsible for how great the women in LIPSTICK JUNGLE look week after week. Ms. Tfank gave them plenty of fresh ammunition to use when it comes time for them to pull for their respective TV shows and print projects.
THE INSPIRATION: For day, it was the glamorous yet efficient “My Girl Friday” who appeared in Hollywood's 1930's madcap comedies, who made office jobs look glamorous. Ms. Tfank was formerly a movie costume designer, so it’s little wonder that she continues to draw inspiration from the likes of screen idols such as Carole Lombard.
Although there were stylishly tailored suits and dresses for day, there were some stunning evening looks such as a floral gown and a white cotton gown pretty enough for a princess. Ms. Tfank is a seasoned veteran, and a smart one. She presented a tightly edited group of clothes as did many of our other favorites this season [Christian Cota]. This kind of self-discipline shows that a designer has a clear focus and is also living outside the fantasy bubble many get caught-up in. If there were ever a time to limit oneself to a capsule collection, this is it. Ms. Tfank’s sophisticated Uptown customers may exercise more restraint when they shop this spring, but we’re quite certain they’ll be adding items from this collection into their wardrobes.
For further information, visit
www.paulwilmot.com