story by Landon Peoples
photos by Aeric Meredith-Goujon
In an industry that repeats itself, seeing a spring season runway show that is not stained with color is an odd occurrence. Christian Siriano’s Spring 2012 collection served as a perfect example to the notion that whilst color is essential for Spring– less is more.
“I didn’t realize how much color sells, but it really does. I wanted people to look at a girl wearing this collection and say, ‘She’s incredibly hip and effortlessly cool,’” Siriano proclaimed.
Inspired by young Katherine Hepburn casual, Vienna, and travel in general, the designer set out to make this collection more wearable than not with neon jersey striped t-shirts paired with chartreuse chiffon maxi skirts, white wide-leg shorts and pants, tank cocktail dresses, and Oxford blouses. Siriano’s new work epitomized juxtaposition, laying bright hues against flat colors, showing the two opposites can go a long way together.
Leave it to the multi-faceted designer to fill the same runway with jersey tees alongside layer-after-layer tulle ball gowns, and have it all run together seamlessly. His ongoing collaboration with Payless adds to the distinction in dollar values too, as the flashes of photographers ricocheted off the models’ shiny patent leather heels.
“I know these young girls want something from me, but they may not be able to afford it. That’s why I make $10,000 dresses and $20 shoes,” Siriano said.
Slews of oysters, corals, pearl blues and citrus hues create a lax yet somehow stunningly promiscuous vibe across the collection. Hair styling by Aveda’s artists matched the rich daywear with simple bangs swept to the side and full locks.
Christian Siriano seems to have thoroughly shrugged the stigma of being just another “that guy from Project Runway” with this collection. His designs really aren’t a project anymore. Christian V. Siriano is now a lifestyle idea, and a chic one at that.
