Christian Siriano's New York Fashion Week runway Saturday was part time age, part centuries past and part moment with a special guest: Tika the Iggy, a social media star Italian greyhound.
Siriano made his signature ballgowns from the Empire State Building's concrete floor. One was in gray tweed with large hoods and the other in shiny steel blue with sleeves. He called the "Victorian Matrix" an experimental collection that featured a variety of looks.
"I feel that this is what we have been living in. Are we still living in Victorian times? Is this an alternate reality? It's like, what is it? According to him, that was how I approached the collection. "I wanted it to be a dream-like fantasy world. We will hopefully escape when we go underground, beneath the Empire State Building."
His buyers would be ready to flee in one of his long, warm quilted coats with a blue-and-white swirl pattern. Others might flee in baby-blue or brighter colors in sheer ruffled pantsuits. They might wear his structured ball skirt and black corset with a dotted pattern on the shoulders.
There were many options for fall-winter. Some outfits are more wearer-friendly than others.
His "Project Runway” mentor and host, who launched his womenswear brand in 2008, showed a variety of looks in bold black and taupe checks. A belled trouser outfit was featured with a strapless top and a loose fitting blouse. This would be a look that required bold fashion confidence. One model was sent out in a mini-dress version of the check, with a large round statement headtopper. It's as bold as fashion can get.
The check also features his latest ballgowns, which include a full-length skirt and a midriff-baring, long-sleeve top with a cutout at the back.
Siriano stated in his show notes that "The pandemic continues and we can't seem t get away from it", so he couldn't help but wonder what the future holds. "What will happen in the fashion industry?" How will customers shop?
Siriano will be available with a soft pink corset and a ruffled neck. He showed it with a slinky cream short that skimmed the ground as his models took to the underground catwalk.
As the show progressed, some of his guests cheered for his models. Hannah Waddingham, Susan Sarandon of "Ted Lasso", and Siriano mainstays Danielle Brooks (who wore his at her recent wedding), sat in the front row. Candace Bushnell and Drew Barrymore sat behind him.
Iggy, Siriano's therapy dog, was there to help. Waddingham smiled big as she held the adorable TikTok star and Instagram star.
