Isaac Mizrahi knows how to put on a show, and I’m not just talking about for Bravo (though given the camera crew at Exit Art, where the runway show took place, you might see some familiar faces on TV in the coming months). Who could forget two seasons ago when the designer had it rain and snow as his models made their way down the runway? Hard to top that, but Mizrahi did. This season, in a twist that many of us won’t be forgetting anytime soon, the designer had some of his models walking out with dogs whose hair had been dyed to match that particular model’s outfit. The crowd ate it up – and speaking of eating, the Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro created fun cakes (of particular note, a white one covered in miniature balls and topped with a poodle) to match themes in the Fall 2011 lineup. Some slices of cake were served pre-show, while later, uncut cakes made their way down the runway. Yes, it was a poodle and sweets kind of mood at the delectable Fall 2011 Isaac Mizrahi show, appropriately titled “Cake”.
Fans of Isaac Mizrahi’s now defunct show on the Oxygen channel know that the designer has an affinity for dogs and cake, so it was wonderful to see him play up the two for an irresistibly – albeit slightly gimmicky – Fall 2011 collection. Poodles in all shapes and sizes and models dressed like waiters carrying cakes on trays down the runway aside, there was nothing gimmicky about the fashions Mizrahi showed.
Oversized bows were featured prominently and made for gorgeous embellishments on flirty off-the-shoulder and strapless cocktail dresses, coats, and gowns in either frosty pastel colors or printed ones with grainy images of flowers. Flowers, in fact, reoccurred throughout the show and made for beautiful embroidery on some of the designer’s dresses. Similarly, sequin was featured prominently and made for particularly memorable evening wear, while day looks were kept clean and sleek and came in both popping shades like pastel pink and clementine and more neutral shades.
The most memorable looks, however, included the designer’s take on the poodle skirt, which he astutely paired with black tops and a beautiful long sleeve clementine day dress that I imagine would be a hot commodity were it on Moda Operandi.
Photos: Vincenzo Grillo, IMAXtree.
