Once upon a time, “American” + “designer” = “casual.”
As in “Le Gap.”
To the denizens of the international fashion world, American designers were part of the teeming fashion underclass. Necessary, to be sure (after all, the world always needs more blue jeans), but certainly not au courant.
Of course, in decades past, there were always designing wonders who just happened to possess American passports, gaining recognition and respect throughout the world: Claire McCardell. Geoffrey Beene. Bill Blass. Halston.
But until recently, Europe was seen as the end-all and be-all of haute mode. Even Mississippi-born Patrick Kelly, the first American to be included in the prestigious ranks of France’s Chambre Syndicale, had to leave home to get respect from the fashion powers-that-be.
But the ’90s have brought with them a dawning of a recognizable American style: clean, elegant lines that praise womanly curves while going easy on the embellishments. Spunk without overkill. Luxury without ostentation.
So it is with pleasure that we feature some of the most impressive evening wear to come from these shores.
Because whether you’re mixing up knits and charmeuse a la Beene, flaunting beads and bangles by Badgley Mischka, doing a slinky jersey slip of a thing a la Vera Wang, or going outrageous with a silk photo-screened jacket over a fancy-shmancy skirt from Todd Oldham, it’s all good.
Who knows better than another American, after all, what the American woman wants to wear when she steps out at night?
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RESOURCES (Fashion Magazine, Page 44.)
BLESS AMERICA
Pg. 32: James Purcell strapless green brocade gown, $7,685, at Barneys New York.
Pg. 33: Vera Wang black lace and jet tunic, $1,585, at Barneys New York.
Pg. 34: Geoffrey Beene lavender knit dress with copper paillettes, $3,990, at Neiman Marcus.
Pg. 35: Badgley Mischka silk paisley beaded dress, $4,990, at Village Set, Ultimo, Neiman Marcus and select Saks Fifth Avenue stores. Ten Thousand Things sterling silver and pearl necklace, $418, at Blake.
Pg. 36: Isaac Mizrahi burgundy wool dress, $1,765, by special order at Marshall Field’s, State Street.
Pg. 37: Carolina Herrera brown satin-faced gown, $3,500, at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Fashion coordinator: Ann Moorehouse, Elite Chicago.
Model: Melissa G., Elite New York.
Hair/makeup: Paul Fields, Pat Bates and Associates, New York.
All hosiery courtesy of Wolford.
