(EDDIE WALKER) Coverage of Bellevue Collection’s Front Row Fashion Show!

by Eddie Walker

On September 29, 2012, I had the pleasure of attending the Bellevue Collection’s Front Row Fashion Show sponsored by Vogue, and benefitting the Moyer Foundation.  And let me tell you, with the tiered seating, you could not find a bad seat in the house.  The lighting, the music, the models, the fashions, it was all fabulous. Well, not all of it, but I’ll get to that in a minute. The show was hosted by Anne Vincent of Vogue and Style Icon, Lawrence Zarian.
The fashion show consisted of seven collections:

1. Layer Logic
2. Sport Chic
3. Power Play
4. Bold & Beautiful
5. Urban Mix
6. Coat Crusade
7. Show Stoppers

With the following Brands showcased (in order of appearance):

• Vince
• 7 For All Mankind
• Eileen Fisher
• Aritzia
• Banana Republic
• Talbots
• Lancoste
• Lucy
• Hugo Boss
• Oakley
• Nordstrom
• Ann Taylor
• White House | Black Market
• Carole McClennan
• Macy’s

I’ll  start with what I didn’t like, hoodies.  There were hoodies every where.  When did hoodies become fashionable?  I don’t think they ever did, and they never will be fashionable to me.  Hoodies are athletic wear, and should have never been sent down the runway as a fashionable look.  I understand why the designers put them in the collection.  It was a tribute to Travon Martin, may he rest in peace.  I get it, but I don’t like it on the runway.  Hoodies may keep you dry when it’s raining.  However, for all those other days when there is no rain, the hoodie is just a piece of scrap fabric pinned to the back of your neck messing up the lines of a beautifully detailed jacket.  Let’s pray that the hoodie is just a passing fad, and will never to return to the runway again.

The first five collections (Layer Logic; Sport Chic; Power Play; Bold & Beautiful; Urban Mix)  left me very underwhelmed.  Thankfully, at least one look in each of these collections put a twinkle in my eye.

 

For Layer Logic, Banana Republic created a beautifully tailored dark brown women’s blazer, and a european cut camel colored men’s coat that would make any man look stylish.  

For Sport Chic, Lucy sent a paneled criss-cross poncho down the runway, unlike any I’ve ever seen before.  It wasn’t the most fashionable, but it was the most interesting.

Banana Republic shined in the Power Play collection also, with a fur collared black vest, 3/4 length tan coat, and an oxblood red jacket.  However, there was one look in this collection that out shined them all - Nordstrom’s Robert Rodriguez oxblood red dress paired with Michael Kors black boots.

For Bold & Beautiful, Nordstrom again won ‘best in collection’ - with a sexy black Abi Ferrin loose fit dress paired with Laundry Shoe silver, single-strap heels.

For Urban Mix, 7 For All Mankind had me screaming ‘Loud, Loud, and Louder’ inside my head at the first three looks they sent down the runway.  They definitely are in need of a new lead designer with better taste.  I didn’t think there would be anything worthwhile in this collection until I saw Ann Taylor’s chinchilla fur jacket come down the runway.  This waist length jacket is extremely sexy and extremely versatile.  I can’t imagine any look that this jacket couldn’t go with.

For Coat Crusade, Hugo Boss dominated the competition.  Every woman’s coat they sent down the runway is a ‘must buy’, especially the two fur coats at the end.  Second best was Vince.  Their coats are modern, young, and hip.  And Ann Taylor deserves a honorable mention for a well cut royal blue coat that is very pleasing to the eye.

For the Show Stoppers formal wear, there were four looks that stood out from all the rest.  Nordstom sent out a sultry satin fuchsia dress with an asymmetrical flap slit in the front.  White House | Black Market sent out a one-shouldered black dress that almost any body shape would look terrific in.  Macy’s sent out a provocative sheer full length black Xcape dress with an open back that’s definitely a head-turner.  And last but not least, and my choice for ‘best in collection’ is Nordstom’s silver-ash colored, spaghetti strap, full length, Sue Wong dress.  It was like watching moonlight walk down the runway with the way the light reflected off this dress.

MORE PHOTOS by NATE Gowdy. (SGN)