Christian Siriano Spring 2014

OK, it is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014 collections so it is expected that you will have floral inspirations in several collections. And true to form designers from Sally LaPointe to Monique Lhuillier to Tadashi Shoji to Zang Toi infused their collections with floral embellishments. Add Christian Siriano to the lists.

Interestingly, Siriano placed his floral-inspired garments at the end of his runway presentation. But this placement makes sense when considering that Siriano was inspired by a recent trip to the Isla Mujures, the “Island of Women,” off of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Siriano in this collection conjured up images of the tropical flora, fragrances, colors, architectural influences, textiles, and in particular the abundance of dahlias on the island.  Grass and palm-lined hut influences are expressed in Siriano’s use of raffia textiles. Intricate stonework and color-blocked streets are projected in Siriano’s shapes and construction. Isla Mujures’ tropical color palettes pop up in Siriano’s use of sand and verdant tones, fuchsia, and floral brocades.

Christian Siriano stays on trend with cropped bandeau tops, exposed midriffs, and illusions, and the construction illusions of flowing trains by making the back of the garment significantly longer than the front. Siriano demonstrates in this collection that he has mastered that delicate balance between fashion-forward sensibility and elegant sophistication. A skill that often takes years to acquire.

 There was something in Siriano’s spring 2014 collection that a woman could wear at every jointure of her day, from daywear to cocktail looks to eveningwear. And Siriano proves with this collection that with each season he understands more and more who is customer is and that he is willing to take the necessary risks to expand his point of view to that consumer who may not yet be in his camp. But, with Siriano’s brilliance and design acumen in a short amount of time she will be!!

—William S. Gooch