SUMPTUOUS FABRICS + CRAFT=ARTFUL DRESSES
RALPH PUCCI FUNRNITURE SHOWROOM, West 18th Street, NYC
FEBRUARY 12th, 2009
Words, Images Judith Ecochard
We were pleasantly surprised at Vinente Villarin’s Spring 2009 show at Bumble & Bumble last September. We got schooled in a matter of speaking… to the fine tailoring skills and sophisticated sensibilities of this Parson’s attendee (in Paris and New York).
Plus we were sitting next to designer Joanne Cordero Reyes’s impeccably dressed and super friendly family at the RTW runway show whre we learned the aspiring young talent as been sewing since the age of nine.
This time around, twenty-five Prada-esque mannequins were spot lit throughout the spacious Ralph Pucci Furniture Gallery…attired in delicate long and short evening looks...and a few day separates.
Themed “Beauty On Form” the run of show cited “…the magnetism and the alignment of objects in the same direction, bold and striking colors such as Nickel, Cobalt and Cerillion Blue, Marigold, Bordeaux and Diamond White join to create a rhythmic beauty…”
We chatted with the smart designer who cited the architecturally distinct Design Museum on 59th Street/Columbus Circle, NYC as an “inspiration” for “thinking about shapes, electrical engineering…and spiral models.”
“The colors are unique,” she added, “and I do the patterns myself…criss-crossing, pleats, chevron molds in different patterns.”
We think the evening and cocktail frocks are the clear winners…crafted from amazing metallic weave textiles and shimmering silks that are intricately hand pleated into works of art. The taupe chevron criss cross-pleated drape dress and a long gown version---were our favorites.
“I always think of what I would wear…and had fun with this collection.”
INFO: VINCENTE VILLARIN