New York Fashion Week: Victorya Hong's show/Project Runway reunion
(Click image to enlarge. Left to right, top to bottom: Two looks from the runway show, Victorya Hong and Christian Siriano, from this season of Project Runway, Jack Mackenroth, also from this season, Victorya, and stylist David Evangelista, Christian and Elisa Jimenez, also from this season, a makeup artist backstage, and Jay McCarroll, legendary winner of season one.)
All the antics from Project Runway contestants past and present captured here make me wish I hadn't had to hightail it back to Bryant Park for one more show at the close of Victorya Hong's presentation. But I stayed focused then, and that's what I'll do here - on to the fashion!
After flipping through Victorya's past designs on Project Runway, I realized two things. It's incredible that she lasted as long as she did, and tonight's runway show was leaps and bounds beyond anything she ever showed the PR judges. The construnction, and particularly the fit, were much more sophisticated on Victorya's runway. Clearly she is not the sort of designer that is inspired by wacky challenges and incredible time constraints, she spreads her wings when she has time and a clear vision.
(Click image to enlarge.)
That said, we did find the collection a little ... blah. After all that experience making candy-themed costumes and couture creations, I wish Victorya would have taken more of a sense of adventure with her from the show. Maybe she was just worn out on whimsy.
But the collection contained many solid, wearable pieces that would certainly be successful in your average department store. Separates that would go from day to evening are a must in every woman's wardrobe, and this collection had many.
[Top Images: Getty; Bottom Images: ShinyStyle]