by Lucy-Claire Saunders
NEW YORK, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Down a cobbled street in New York's trendy
meatpacking industry, upcoming designer Caroline Seikaly showed off her spring
2010 collection on the first day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (MBFW).
A stunning group of tall and fair models posed for cameras dressed head to
toe in expensive Italian and French fabric. Apparently, the economic and
financial crisis had not found its way into Tela Design Studio 31.
"You just keep doing what you love to do, what you do best," Seikaly told
Xinhua, adding that she did not alter her design to accommodate for shrinking
budgets.
This year's semi-annual New York Fashion Week, which is followed by fashion
weeks in London, Milan and Paris, features 63 shows in three tent in Bryant
Park, as well as 12 off-site shows around the city.
Seikaly, who is from Paris, said she chose to display her collection
off-site because it allows for more intimacy.
"I like the different presentation, like in a gallery, (or) in a
restaurant," she said. "It's very quaint, more personal, and more intimate."
For MBFW, Seikaly showed off her collection of edgy but pretty dresses.
Adorned in long, flowing layers of lace and silk, her models sparkled with
sensuality and femininity. But in an effort to appear fresh and current, they
rocked dark eyeliner and slicked-back hair, offsetting Seikaly's classic look.
Seikaly's gowns typically feature plunging necklines embedded with jewels
and pleated finishes fit for royalty. This season, Seikaly focused her attention
on blue, sliver, beige and white -- calming colors, which happened to be unique
to the more vibrant colors of other designers.
Apparent to even the most novice of fashion show attendees though was the
lack of minority models. When questioned why all the models were Caucasian,
Seikaly said she was supposed to have two African-American models.
"I had two beautiful black models," she said, "one that I loved... but got
taken by somebody else, another big designer in a fashion show."
Maybe next time.
