JAD GHANDOUR FALL/WINTER 2012

Cipriani, 110 East 42nd Street, NYC

words- Judith Ecochard

runway still images, Dan Lecca, courtesy of Seventh House PR

C'EST CHIC

Well that was a smart decision, we thought to ourselves, after the absolutely, stunning fashion show we ended up seeing-as a scheduling conflict, a common occurrence during NYFW---had us choosing to go to this affair, by a designer we knew nothing about, Lebanese born JAD GHANDOUR.

How wonderful was this---even the PR team was a bit in awe of what they just saw-and we assume they had a preview. Soon after we arrived, and just as the first model sashayed down the catwalk-at the beautiful midtown Cipriani...we caught a glimpse of luxury wear designer ZANG TOI... AND we then figured, oh-this will be good.

There are many labels that know how to manipulate leather as if it were silk chiffon---as in properly placed draping, color blocking using a bold palette of tones, tailored pleating, and ruched details that fall perfectly- as 'easily' as a fabric...with modern and elegant results...with an edge...a downtown cool one at that.

But we have never seen such a sophisticated and stylish pairing of leather appliqué details---on Red Carpet worthy silk chiffon-KNOCK-OUT gowns---as we did here.

Love-leather cape over low slung leather pants-snakeskin details

grey silk chiffon drama- with 3d leather appliqué-takes the prom out of the usual floral embellishments and replaces it with a bit of rock n' roll 'tude

love the gothic like leather trim on a bold canary gown we expect to see at the Grammies

JAD GHANDPOUR is into his 3rd collection, so we learned...having toiled for fellow countryman, luxury women's clothing designer, Elie Saab.

This was not a supremely well attended show-it should have been and we think the know it alls missed out on one of the top runway shows of the New York Fall season.

Stylists to all those young celebs should be taking down notes on several ensembles for their clients...as we would want just about every look we saw. Expect to hear more about this young designer-----