“CUCURRUCUCÚ PALOMA”
Midtown Manhattan, New York Fashion Week
Words, Backstage Images Judith Ecochard
FOH CHADWICK BELL
Influenced by the artist Joan Miro’s “strong black lines” Chadwicke Bell backstage (where we previewed the collection) was filled with well tailored separates cut from elegant fabrics…
Top looks we saw on the models and racks…all day to evening appropriate… garbadine jackets, wool trousers, fitted frocks, a lush tobacco leather jacket with a leather “swift” skirt, and a cotton moiré tank.
Jackets, dresses and a coat dress that opened the show in particular had a tale of two cities going on…with menswear hints of sharp or wide curved shoulders tempered by softly draped front openings and small folds that allow the garment that let the female figure shine.
Fabrics too got the male/female mix---canvas garbadine with tulle trim.
Reminded us of Yves Saint Laurent, and some vintage Armani (Pantsuits----) and James Purcell and Trussardi (Leather skirt/Jacket) we still have---
All masters.
A few cocktail evening dresses were tastefully elegant…in particular we liked the golden finch dress in silk dupioni with embroidered ginko leaves.
A polished collection by the young designer-- with biz partner Vanessa Webster
We noted key retailers coming in to see the show.
Hopefully, we will have more time to see what’s up for Chadwick Bell Fall 2010.
CODA: The overall collection was also inspired by the song “CUCURRUCUCÚ PALOMA,” sung by Caetano Veloso…a Spanish song we are not familiar with. But we bet it’s about passion, and love loss…
