Christian Siriano Tames the Mediterranean’s “Fierceness” For Spring 2010

by Barb on September 12, 2009

Christian Siriano Greets the Crowd

A bad day for me is not being able to get my seat at the Christian Siriano Spring 2010 show at Bryant Park (for Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week) and being closed out on the show’s standing line. Really, what that means is that I had to stand in the tent’s lobby and watch the show on the hi-def screen with the show’s music quietly thumping from behind the doors. Not bad at all, hah.

I can tell you that with the recession, Siriano definitely did play it safe. Or so I thought. The first several outfits that appear on the runway are close to the body and have little volume, and on top of that, are a neutral: cream/taupe. And we can’t forget Siriano’s love for hats; he introduces several of these cream outfits with relaxed floppy hats. However, this succession of outfits gets jazzed up with one of them involving the use of a strong blue that pipes along the body’s curves. Excellent transition and preview for what’s about to come.

This is where Siriano’s inspiration for the Spring 2010 collection becomes clear. Portraying the Mediterranean in casual wear, dresses, and a bodysuit (can you say daring?), Siriano makes use of a huge fashion trend: the tye-dye effect. While some may frown on the use of this style, Siriano uses it well – he conveys the sea with its white froth, clear blue and green water, and dark depths with black.

Concluding the show is what Siriano is best known for – his gowns. The stage is lit up with these gowns that a use of a lot of volume and layers, as well as fiery colors.

As the models come down the stage to finish the show, you can’t help but wonder where the famed designer is. After they walk off, he skids onto the stage in an adorable manner and thanks the crowd.

Understanding where Siriano is coming from, you could easily say that he has tamed the Mediterranean by showing off the seaside relaxation with the floppy hats and neutral colors, the characters of the sea, and the passion that the people of the Mediterranean possess.