Three feminine frocks on Christian Siriano's spring/summer 2011 runway. Photos: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
DESIGNER: Christian Siriano
INSPIRATION: The rich cultures of Africa, India, and China all rolled into one.
TOP LOOKS: A silver textured cocktail dress cinched with an antique beaded belt and artfully draped chiffon sash; an antique silver-beaded, V-neck, floor-length gown with an asymmetrical ruffled front; a dramatic strapless buff evening dress with a sparkling embellished belt and huge billowing tulle ruffles reminiscent of the best Monique Lhuillier wedding gowns
ACCESSORIES: Chunky, multistrand, African-inspired silver beaded necklaces; another Payless collection of dramatic and towering cutout heels constructed of wood (some pieces shaped like chopsticks) and embellished with faux snakeskin print and shiny red metallics
WHO WAS THERE: Alan Cumming, Leigh Lezark, songstress JoJo, Phillip Bloch, New York Times' Cathy Horyn
WHAT WE THOUGHT: With a front row speckled with top editors, it's clear the 24-year-old Project Runway alum is being taken more seriously than other reality show-birthed celebrity designers.
Again using exotic locales as inspiration (last season was the Mediterranean, this season Africa, India, and China), Siriano focused on shiny snakeskin prints in bright red and blue hues that struck us as a little dated (especially the shiny red snakeskin trousers), while he excelled at the more gentle buff-hued cocktail frocks featuring delicate folding, antiqued silver sequins, and asymmetrical ruffles (Siriano, you'll recall, has never met a ruffle he didn't like).
While he stepped out of the evening zone every now and again with safari jackets, trenches, and expertly tailored trousers, the crowd rightfully oohed and ahhed over the bold gown finale, which featured Siriano's signature volume, balloon hems, and a new trick - huge, asymmetrically draped tulle clouds with rough raw edges.