It’s no doubt New York Fashion Week is a mixed bag, you have ready-to-wear, sportswear, shoes, beauty and beyond. Once in a while, an invitation rolls in as special as the place that inspired it. That invitation was Rafael Cennamo and that place was the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Siting “21 Shades of Gold” as the collection’s theme, Cennamo set the stage with grandeur. Opulent embroidery, intricate beading and a diverse mix of textures reveal a depth as vivid as the remarkable landmark that inspired them.
Gowns worthy of red- carpet capabilities (maybe we will see one at the upcoming Oscars?), were the stars of the show. On lookers gasped with joy as they perused through the presentation. I think the excitement may have come from the fact that yes, these couture garments were layer upon layer of extraordinary but the scene, the dramatic make up, a collaboration by Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Zoya, and Rowenta Beauty with gilded eyebrows and mysterious facial masks, quieted the pretty just a bit and maximized the art.
