NY FASHION WEEK: BCBG Spring 2012

Max Azria's brought simple dressing to the forefront for spring 2012. By simple dressing, I mean garment after garment of flat panels hanging off shoulders, swing silhouettes, and an avoidance of sleeves at any cost...

Look after look contained big easy shapes that looked like it could be one-size-fits-all flowing off the body. I wondered if the design team or pattern makers were going for ultimate comfort or were just too lazy to fit anything to the body this season.

There was lots of color blocking in royal blue, turquoise, yellow and orange. Big contrasting colors with prints that had tribal inspiration, but were vague about which culture's tribe. They were more of an updated, digital version of a lost civilization.

If you indulged too much over the holiday season, but still want to make a bold entrance next spring, you wouldn't find a more forgiving collection than BCBG.

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Fashion Flanked Whitney Art Party

Artistically inclined fashion designers and cultured celebs came out to the Whitney Art Party Wednesday night. The works of John Baldessari, Terence Koh, Matthew Brannon and Marilyn Minter were up for silent auction to raise funds for the Whitney Independent Study program. The initiative strives to educate future curators and art historians.

Designers in attendance included host Max Azria and patrons Jason Wu, Adam Lippes and Francisco Costa. The stylish event saw the likes of Tinsley Mortimer, Alexis Bledel and Bradley Cooper perusing the modern art. Many of the guests paid tribute to the hosting designer by wearing Herve Leger and BCBG dresses.

Photos by Steve Eichner. Art print by Marilyn Minter

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NY Fashion Week: BCBG Fall 2010

The BCBG collection for Fall 2010 was a cohesive display of cool urban chic. Sleek blacks, greys, acid yellow, navy and silver flowed into drapey tunics and dresses. The silhouettes were embellished by graphic bands of wide stripes and sprinkles of gun metal sequins. The feminine but somber palette also a lot of asymmetrical hems and necklines.

The BCBG handbags that were carried were larger, handheld clutches. Soft square and oblong shapes were made in soft bodies (instead of a framed bag), almost like a feminized, dainty briefcase.

Spotted in the front row: Michelle Williams, Maggie Rizer

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NY Fashion Week: BCBG Max Azria

You can always tell there is a warm front coming from the West Coast. California-based BCBG by Max Azria showed their Spring 2010 collection on the runway Thursday morning at Bryant Park. The show consisted of very pretty, flirty dresses in bright prints and bright colors reminiscent of the 1980’s. Shirring, ruffles and banded details added interest to body conscious (though mostly flattering!) silhouettes. Some of the banded styles had hints of Max Azria’s sister label, Herve Leger. Think Leger Lite (no bi-lingual pun intended).

For the red carpet diva who likes to use her purse as a prop? The models sauntered down the runway with shiny metallic clutches. The shapes were retro to the 1940’s-1960’s, delicate minaudieres, and a few clamshells (just big enough for lipstick, phone and car keys). Each bag was embellished with a long dark tassel, perfect for wrapping around the wrist and flicking dramatically to make a point.

Can’t wait until 2010 to shop these looks? BCBG can cater to the eager. Their website offered two of their runway looks for sale immediately after the show.

Spotted in the front row: Amerie, Anna Wintour, Amanda Bynes, Nina Garcia.

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