story by Dana Varon
photos by Ned & Aya Rosen
The Plaza Hotel is the perfect place for designer Douglas Hannant to hold his show, not only because he has his first stand-alone boutique there but because his clothes are filled with the luxurious fabrics, cuts and adornments expected by and of the women who stay there. After assistant window dressing at Barney’s, it is said he re-found the mannequin of his dreams who he had been looking for and now she lives at his boutique too. Perhaps, that is why his pieces seem to drape so perfectly and it is definitely why his models had dewy, glowy mannequin skin and black banged bobbed wigs. He told me so when I said they looked like one. He also told me how he is pleased with this collection’s range of texture, which is very important to him, but in a subtle, understated way.
Created for a true lady in the classic Park Avenue sense, there is no insouciant wear. This muse is impeccably put together. From his lady in her white georgette blouse and black wool crepe wide pants to his crepe tan spiral seam strapless dress, this persona is going somewhere. Rust colors in a wool dress and mohair wrap jacket, black wool skirts with slits and leather tied belts were among the more edgy. Then there was the perfect pencil skirt. But besides the many luxe pieces made of the like of tulle overlays, glazed tweed, velvet, fil coupe and point d’esprit sleeves there are teal and black mermaid gowns, beaded back harnesses and full organza petals. Understated, no. Simply beautiful, yes.
