Bryant Park Tents, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
February 14th 2009
Words, Judith Ecochard
Lacoste’s RTW runway show is always a hot ticket…as the elaborate staging of Men’s and Women’s garb is a festive affair. Oui, Oui.
Christophe Lemaire, Lacoste's designer's--- outing this time was received with mute applause, at least where we were ensconced. Maybe it was the fact that people were tired/hungover or that the usual Lacoste bag given to attendees---was mon Dieu...not there.
We liked what we saw however, and felt the more sophisticated upscale Black Collection had many utterly wearable separates.
And will do well in brick and mortar retail stores where consumers can get up close and personal with the lineup.
The strong points were the warm, comfy overcoats in double faced wool and ponchos for gals that were ribbon wrapped/piled on Annie Hall style, chic cropped high waist trousers made with luxe Italian jersey wool and a easy wear draw string pocketed gray knit jumpsuit with cowl neck. The monochrome pastel palette of a robins egg blue, dove gray, and ivory will offer some pop in winter…though we felt the mustard yellow (or egg yolk shade) is tough to wear with some skin tones.
There are some playful pieces too…including mini knit skirts with leggings and long pocketed wrap worthy sweaters, well made slightly shrunken sporty blazers atop long sleeve button downs (love the looks paired with a feminine ties à la Diane Keaton)…and the signature cozy cap/scarf toppers to ward off the cold.
Guys looks are sharply tailored-especially the creamy oatmeal shaded blazers, waistcoats, grandpa style cardigans, and pants that are properly fitted (not that insane shrunken look). Plus the argyle and geometric patterned knit sweaters…will have women borrowing them from their boyfriends to wear belted as tunics.
The crocodile logo was invisible to our eyes ---we sat way up in the stratosphere---but are on every piece, as always we assume…in the same color as the solid toned separates.
C’est tres jolie.
IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES: MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK
INFO: LACOSTE
CITED REFERENCES FROM THE PROGRAM NOTES: Artist James Turrell's "trick-of-the-eye canvases..." (GET), 1960's Courrèges (GET), Princess Leila (Well...C'est une excuse comme une autre).