I attended the Catherine Malandrino show this morning, and got to interview the designer. She said that the collection was a bridge between her life in Paris and New York. She was inspired by the refined and sophisticated lines of Art Deco interior and furniture designer Ruhlmann. She told me that what’s most important to her when designing is feeling the story behind the collection. I could definitely see a connection between the clean lines of her pieces and the furniture that Ruhlmann designed.

I asked if there was a celebrity that she thought embodied the collection. She said that the designs are for all women of style who like to travel the world in comfort and look chic while doing so. Malandrino herself is the perfect embodiment of her work. She wore a black sheath dress with pockets (I love pockets!), no jewelry, black opaque tights and black lace-up heels. She had on the most simple outfit in the room, yet all eyes were upon her not only because she was the designer but also because she has that irresistible combination of beauty and style.

The clothes are so modern yet absolutely wearable. Black, burgundy, plum and midnight blue came together in a sophisticated palette with pieces that could be mixed and matched, my test for a versatile collection. The designs are a delicious combination of femininity, sexiness, sophistication and tailoring, as all Malandrino’s designs are. I loved the insouciance of it. Anyone wearing these designs will look ever so stylish, but not like they are trying too hard.

The collection was shown all at once as an installation so attendees could see the clothing close up vs. a runway show where everyone sits as the models pass by at a distance.

The collection

This mesh and velvet cutout dress is Malandrino’s favorite from the collection.

This cashmere coat is Malandrino’s other favorite piece. Mine too!

I love this jacket. It’s biker taken to a whole other level.

The designer

I don’t just want this dress; I want to look like Malandrino in this dress. How chic is she???

It’s just as fun to check out the people at the show as it is to check out the fashions. I guess a fez hat is the newest trend. I saw Mondo from Project Runway wearing one in the tents too.

Love that this guy brought his dog to the presentation. And the platinum-haired woman next to him is Linda Fargo, the senior vice-president at Bergdorf Goodman, New York’s most exclusive department store (there is a documentary coming out called “Scatter my Ashes at Bergdorf’s” that I can’t wait to see because this eponymous store is just three blocks from where I grew up. I spent a lot of time there!).

Love this blend of camo and conservative. I’ll have to try it out too.

Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into the show.

Illysia Neumann-Loreck