Photo by Michael Buckner / WireImage
A shining example of fashion as art came in the work of designer Christian Siriano, whom VIE has followed throughout his journey to becoming a fashion icon since his debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in 2009, after he won the reality competition series Project Runway. We journeyed—freezing, thanks to Nemo—to the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan for his Fall 2013 presentation at Eyebeam Art and Technology Center, one of the few official off-site venues for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The wait outside in the blistering wind was well worth it; being in a new setting gave me preshow butterflies
as I walked past Model Karlie Kloss – Photo by Mike Coppola / Getty Images celebs giving interviews in the dimly lit studio. Red crushed velvet curtains hung at the edge of the room, with three stunning crystal-andgold chandeliers hanging just in front of them. This was a testament to Siriano’s vision, making it clear to us that he wanted to do his own thing by presenting his art in a setting of his choosing, evoking a different feeling than that of a sterile Lincoln Center runway. From the very first black-on-black, Russian-inspired look, I was ready to wear this collection all fall and winter long. Leather, velvet, brocade, and chevron patterns in black and gold set the tone for the whole show, whose inspiration came from the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, according to Siriano. The last look, an awe-inspiring sheer gown covered in strategically placed gold sequins and crystals, certainly made a statement as the model wearing it led the rest of her flock out for the final walk. After the show, we stopped to snap a photo with young actresses Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) and Isabelle Fuhrman (The Hunger Games) before heading back out into the cold for the next show, Alexandre Herchcovitch, at the famed Milk Studios just down the street.
es VIE’s Jordan Staggs and Meghan Ryan with actress Isabelle Fuhrman and Shailene Woodley
V IE Z INE .C OM | 97