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New York Fashion Week: Spring 2006

© Anne Paxton

As with everything else about New York, even its weather has to be in fashion. It may have been fall but it was spring-like temperatures in New York City which was very fitting since designers were introducing their Spring 2006 clothing collections to an eager audience and to even more eager buyers. But the appropriate heat did have its drawbacks: It was so hot that Anna Wintour and Patrick McCarthy left Calvin Klein show early due to overheating. It looks like not everyone is willing to suffer for fashion.

The greats were there as usual, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabanna, Vera Wang and they can all be viewed at http://www.newyorkmetro.com/fashion/fash... which does a stunning job of reporting on all the shows that went on. For me, however, I want to focus on some newer designers: Those who have only been around for a few years and those who just made their debut. Will some of these designers be the wave of the future or just a thing of the past?

The first I have come to admire is designer is Zac Posen. Posen has been designing since 2001, but his first runway show debuted in 2004 and was a stunning success and his 2006 spring collection is just as eye-pleasing. This designer is very popular with the young Hollywood scene and celebrities. Yet for someone considered so hip, his designs for spring are surprisingly relaxed and most certainly attainable. Soft beige is the primary color with hints of subtle greens and yellows. He left color for the finale with a model in a blue pleated gown with a skirt so big that it reminded me of a Southern belle making an entrance at a ball.

Speaking of southern belles, Derek Lams collection was an amazing display of airy white dresses where the models looked like they were taking a stroll through a Tennessee Williams tragedy. He also offered sundresses that could be worn in the office or a day out at the park. The clothes were soft and flowing creations and of all the collections Lam's was the most appropriate for spring with the loose comfortable fabric to keep anyone cool on a hot New York day.

B-Rude by Boy George is absolutely wild and silly, but it had what many designers did not and that was color! One would think that the theme of spring would inspire arrangements of electric yellows and vibrant greens in this season's collections, but many designers stayed with white, grey, and what one fashion critic describe as "greige", which is the combination of grey and beige and while this is actually a very attractive color it seems a more appropriate color for fall and winter not the life-enhancing season of spring! Perhaps B-Rude horded all the colorful fabric this year because it was on display with eye-popping enthusiasm. Models wearing vibrant yellows, reds, oranges, and hot pinks with polka dots all screamed for attention as they strutted down the runway with colorful punk hair to match their outfits. The stunning finale was Janice Dickinson (of Top Model infamy) in a sweeping gorgeous green design that looked like a cross between a geisha robe and something that Merlin the magician would wear.

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