NEW YORK (AP) — Christian Siriano faced a tight timeline for his finale gown during New York Fashion Week, having only 48 hours to complete the design due to the late arrival of iridescent green liquid fabric that had been stuck in customs for weeks. This last-minute challenge, while stressful, ignited a fresh wave of excitement for the designer known for his work on "Project Runway."
Siriano expressed that the pressure of a tight deadline often leads to the creation of his best work. "The best dresses come at the end because I’m really, really in it,” he noted. Unlike previous shows where he elaborately decorated the venue to match his theme, this time he opted for a more subdued atmosphere that allowed the clothes to take center stage. His latest collection incorporated various textures and an array of colors, aiming to create a surrealist dream experience.
In describing his inspiration, Siriano mentioned, “It was more of an idea of this fantasy dream, maybe like a Dali painting that can never be explained.” He hoped the collection would transport viewers to a dreamlike world where everyone feels beautiful.
His front-row audience featured a mix of celebrity friends and loyal customers, including actors Leslie Jones, Uzo Aduba, Julia Fox, Natasha Lyonne, Whoopi Goldberg, and rock singer Taylor Momsen. The show commenced with a series of black and white structured outfits, eventually transitioning to vibrant colors. Models strutted down the runway, showcasing their hair styled in surrealist swoops that crisscrossed around their necks.
Siriano's collection showcased reimagined red carpet silhouettes, highlighted by striking gowns that featured dramatic asymmetric necklines, exaggerated tulle sleeves, and peplums. The black and white designs were adorned with shimmering fringe, alluring cutouts, feathers, and delicate beading. Notably, several revealing sheer looks were on display, emphasizing the bold nature of the collection.
In true Siriano fashion, the runway featured models of diverse sizes and genders, reinforcing his belief in fashion as an inclusive space. "We need to escape and be somewhere else… in a dream world,” he stated, emphasizing a celebration of beauty, bodies, age, and cultures within his collection.
Standout pieces included a chartreuse lace cropped jacket paired with a maxi skirt and the highly anticipated bright green ombre bubble gown that had arrived just before the show. The finale was marked by supermodel Coco Rocha, who closed the show wearing the ombre bubble gown. As she posed dramatically on the runway, she engaged with the audience, leading Jones to enthusiastically cheer "drama" as she passed by.
Jones praised Siriano, saying, "He makes you feel secure in his clothes. It doesn’t matter what size you are; he’s going to make you feel beautiful, and that’s the essence of Christian.” This sentiment encapsulated not only Siriano's fashion philosophy but also the atmosphere of the night.
