Just one year after debuting his first-ever collection, Prabal Gurung staged his first runway show to an overflowing house at the tents, with Anna Wintour, Rachel Zoe, Barbara Bush and Zoe Saldana front row and center to take in a succession of darkly glam evening dresses and separates for a day at the races.
The Prabal Gurung fall 2010 collection will surely cement the designer's reputation for cocktail frocks and red carpet stunners - dress after seductive dress went floating down the runway, sporting large ruffles and origami pleats in various placements and metallic prints, tulip skirts and in one particular instance, a burst of champagne feathers. Black and white played together, as did deep jewel metallics and ladylike puff-sleeve sheaths.
For day, Gurung maintained the balance of bad girl/lovely lady vibe with graphic color blocks on wool in modern silhouettes and beige, black, red and white, moto-cross inspired coats, suits and shirts. Think classics like cashmere cut with some spice in the form of an unexpected arm band, and fur and velvet with sporty, exposed zippers.
The girls looked severe but sleek with their pulled back hair and matte red lips, enhancing the power behind the sex appeal. What Gurung seems to pull off so perfectly is the fashion-y drama that evokes a sense of "Why not?", rather than "Why would anyone wear that?"
Brains and beauty.
