CYNTHIA STEFFE Women’s Collection and FARRAH DELAUNAY CARRYALLS
Piers 92 & 94 –West Side Highway, NYC
May 6th, 2009
Words, Images Judith Ecochard,
and courtesy of Cynthia Steffe
CYNTHIA STEFFE: FALL 2009
During the ENK tradeshows,…a second floor convention/event space on Pier 92---just a stroll from the ground floor Pier 94 (both former shipping berths) ---displays upscale denim and many “name” brands during the tradeshows.
ADDED PLUS: It’s a great opportunity for us to catch up on some of the collections we missed during NY’s Fashion Week…like
CYNTHIA STEFFE
Cynthia Steffe is now designed by the fashion biz veteran-the British Shaun Kearney who termed the latest collection “Tough, Sweet and Rock and Roll Chic.”
With a nod to the 80’s, we felt the use of leather, bling hardware elements (a black dress with a striking diagonal gold side zip), and metallic fabrics made the dresses and separates appealing in a modern edgy way. There were also a few long gowns…but we think the short sparkly sequin cocktail one works best.
Ruched leather dresses, skinny pants, peaked shoulder blouses atop gathered skirts--- are sure to get a gal noticed.
At the tradeshow, the retailers opted for the feminine basics in deep colors --- like a ruffled edge sleeveless scoop silk tops, a raw edged ruffled white sheath, and a polished scalloped hem, belted short sleeve, metallic wool frock- that we can see as the perfect office to night item.
TO SEE THE FULL COLLECTION:
CYNTHIA STEFFE
A tip off from the Lux Cartel showroom led us to the Farrah Delaunay booth at the Piers last week…for the debut of the BAMBOO collection.
WHAT”S ON:
A colorful assortment of handbags, satchels and totes that are beautiful crafted (in the USA!!!) with the finest Italian lambskin leathers (braid) and hardware (zippers) as decorative elements…that marvelously trim bold printed African fabrics used as the foundation.
THE DESIGNER:
Farrah Delaunay is a smart and super nice woman of the world. Hailing from France with an African heritage this former model (yup, she’s stunning too) finds prints from Senegal and Mali ---and then designs ‘beach to the street’ totes and haulers that really pop.
Featuring sturdy cotton canvas inner linings and snap closures, the carryalls come in all of the shapes women want---a CASABLANCA Weekender, a LAGOS Carry All, a KAMPALA Hobo, a BRAZAVILLE Beach Bag, an ACCRA Mini Bourse, and a Dakar Clutch.
FACTOID: Bags are named for African Country Capitals!
INFO: FARRAH DELAUNAY