Italians are known for their showmanship – and in Italian fashion, theatrics go unmatched. So it is no surprise that Prete & Bruno’s New York debut took place in Lincoln Center’s Stage and consisted of an impressive 44 looks. Matching their consistently sexy and delightfully sensational designs with the runway’s soundtrack, the duo closed the show with Laissez-Moi Danserby Dalida. The finale parade of feather trims and Paris green chiffon dresses made me want to twirl on a stage with fourShail Upadhyaclones circa 1978.
When it comes to men's sportswear, Perry Ellis' name is an axiom - kind of like how dividing by zero is one of those mathematical certainties that requires no proof or explanation: it simply is. That said, we had no reason to expect anything less than the best earlier tonight as we took our seats for Ellis' spring showing.
Wavering palm trees appeared, projected onto the walls of The Stage, and Amanda and I looked at each other and exchanged that "Oh, okay. It's gonna be one of those shows" glance. Pleasant surprise turned into enthusiasm as we were presented with nicely color-blocked navy and sorbet sweaters, double-breasted pastel linen blazers, and shorts/trousers in understated plaid; plenty of fine microprint details and one super-slick black trench towards the end brought it all home.
There was a distinctly Floridian laid-backedness about the collection, but balanced with a sense of pragmatic New England casual - as if someone had plopped Kennebunkport onto Key West. But most importantly, the entire row of Macy's buyers directly in front of us seemed very, very pleased.
