Jenny Packham Jenny Packham has done day wear in her Fall collection, but not so this year. I guess once you are known for impeccably dressing Kate Middleton twice, you settle into that evening wear space and go along for the ride.

Every look presented by Packham during her Fall 2013 show was designed for occasion dressing. Galas, awards shows, balls, you name it and one of these dresses, and in some cases separates, would fit right in. With one winter white sweater dress being the only exception, it isn’t until after 5:00pm that any of these ensembles would dream of making an appearance. One particular neckline, an off the shoulder version of the sweetheart neckline, shown in navy and wispy slate blue could easily make the transition from Packham’s Ready to Wear collection to her Bridal collection with the change of a fabric color.

Everything was beautiful, but the wow moments were the navy jewel encrusted harem pants with matching peplum tube top and the final look, mentioned above, a icy slate blue flowing gown with an off the shoulder neckline and illusion fabric covered in beading and semi-precious stones.

If someone does not wear Jenny Packham to the Oscars this year, it would be a total miss. Each of these dresses would make anyone feel like a queen or at least a Duchess.

 

Writing Credit: Cherise Luter www.jaxonep.com

Photography Credit: Jane Kratochvil www.janekratochvil.com

 

Betsey Johnson

Contrary to popular belief, Betsey Johnson is better than ever. Her Fall 2013 presentation was more like a reboot for her and her brand after last year financial woes. Not only did she debut her new athletic wear line and film a portion of the show for inclusion in an upcoming work out video, but all of the fun will be a part of her upcoming reality show The Betsey and Lulu Show on the Style Network. Betsey has been a busy-busy bee as of late.

As for the fashion, it was all about brights, mixing, matching and having a good time. Models strutted the runway in crazy prints, crazy accessories and matching crazy bowl cut wings chatting on their cell phones the whole way. The collection included duds for inside the gym and outside, including leopard lines coats, quilted leather jackets, cute mini dresses and even fur.

Betsey’s shows have always brought fun to the tents and it looks like the fun is now back at Lincoln Center.

 

Writing Credit: Cherise Luter www.jaxonep.com

Photography Credit: Jane Kratochvil www.janekratochvil.com

 

Reem Acra

Reem Acra, when asked what her inspiration was for the current season, said she fell in love with Japan. The Japanese inspired floral embroidery was beautiful, but it was the works of Daidō Moriyama, known for his grainy black and white images of women in fish net stocking and the second inspiration mentioned that really shined through. The look was seductive and sensual, but the impeccable tailoring and styling kept it far away from offensive. It seemed like the wardrobe of a long gone kind of woman. It was Tippi Hedron in The Birds or Eva Marie Saint in North by Northwest, very Hitchcock femme fatale.

The incredibly simple color palette of red, black, white and grey kept everything to the point and laser focused. The numerous dresses, including a show stopping all leather sheath dress with twist knot detailing, could easily work into a woman’s business wardrobe or serve as a cocktail dress. The red and black fur coats were a bit over the top, but the herringbone and plaid print coats added some sensibility. The evening wear pieces made great use of sheer fabrics, illusion fabrics and strategically placed appliques to evoke demure sexy.

 

Writing Credit: Cherise Luter www.jaxonep.com

Photography Credit: Jane Kratochvil www.janekratochvil.com