Finally fashionable
The beginning of a beautiful relationship
Published On: May 25, 2010
Nashville is well known for a lot of cool things, but fashion hasn’t been one of them. Until now.
A number of back-to-back fashion shows have kept wannabe fashionistas in sky-high heels this spring. High profile designer Nicole Miller and Project Runway’s Tim Gunn graced us with their presence. And there was the weeklong Naked Without Us fashion and music festival, followed by the Prophetik Southern Shores show hosted by Suzy and James Cameron, director of the top-grossing films Avatar and Titanic.
But the spring fashion crescendo was most definitely the Nashville Symphony Spring Fashion Show featuring internationally acclaimed fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi.
Isaac sashayed into town for just a few hours, but he managed to steal the hearts of all 600-plus guests at the April 20th show with his fabulous 2010 Fall Collection and endearing personality. Isaac is a showman, and his theatrical background was apparent throughout the parade of artistic, yet wearable clothes sent down the long runway circling the main floor of the symphony hall. Local models were cast to join professionals straight off the runways of New York, with two of our own, Ashley Clapp and Holly Finley, opening the show.
Isaac Mizrahi designs fit and flatter real women, and this collection is classic Isaac. Celebrating strong American sportswear and couture, his fall line offers something for everyone. Isaac described this collection as “sort of an urban fairy tale.” Think understated glamour with an outdoorsy twist. “I just imagined sprites and fairies running around Central Park and it grew from there,” he said of his inspiration. But it could simply be described as WOW!
The show was full of sparkling embellishments accenting a traditional fall color palette in shades of brown, black, green and gold, mixed with touches of orange and metallics. Nashville even had the opportunity to see a few looks not previously shown at New York Fashion Week. But Isaac’s luxurious fabrics, innovative finishes and creative styling left everyone wanting more.
The very first creation, a color-blocked sequin coat, set the stage for this gorgeous fall line. It was the first of many chic, structured jackets, suits and vests shown throughout the evening. Silk, satin and leather mini dresses, skirts, shorts and pants followed, accented with camouflage-inspired florals, quilting, toggle closures, exposed zippers and fur. These were beautiful clothes with an edge.
Isaac certainly offered a wide variety of playful accents for the audience to ogle. Embellished jewels were arranged to form croc-like patterns. Bright, shaggy vintage-inspired coats caught the eye. Unusual prints and belted feathers drew applause. Detachable fur-trimmed hoods were shown with both vests and cocktail dresses. Tulle wrapped and tucked to form a haphazard poof skirt was paired with a cardigan sweater. Cinderella-inspired transparent booties and even a see-through skirt were perhaps an ode to the fairy-tale motif. Isaac is obviously a design genius because he made all of these whimsical details believable.
The show concluded with a drop-dead gorgeous gold strapless evening gown with a full tulle skirt that literally floated down the runway. But the slinky sequined beaded gowns and short beaded cocktail dresses were the obvious crowd favorites. When asked what type of clothing makes a woman look sexy, Isaac said, “It’s got to be something that makes her feel good, and sometimes there’s nothing less sexy than a ‘sexy dress’, if you get what I’m saying.” Isaac most definitely knows what he’s talking about. The entire collection was modern and sexy, yet appropriate for women of all ages.
Every look was topped off with minimalistic straight hair and dewy nude makeup for the perfect finishing touch. Before the show he was asked about how he decides to accessorize his pieces. He said “Each girl is different, so I don’t put them in the same accessories. Accessories include everything from lipstick to shoes. The same styles and colors don’t look good on everyone.” Those are words for all women to live by.
Isaac said that he was “fascinated with the idea of Nashville.” It was obvious from the crowd response that Nashville was fascinated with Isaac as well. Don’t be surprised to see the love reciprocated as Isaac’s supernatural fairy tale is played out at events all over town this fall. The Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2010 Collection is exclusively available in Nashville at Gus Mayer.
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