THE struggle between highbrow and lowbrow continued at the tents yesterday, as designers and attendees jockeyed to fill the void once occupied by Hollywood celebs, now back in LA.
In one corner, there was the camp that would represent the biggest star of Fashion Week in absentia, the first lady, and in the other… the uh, Hilton sisters.
Starting at Carolina Herrera, the elephant in the room was Michelle Obama, as Anna Wintour wielded her front-row sidekick, the first lady’s social secretary Desiree Rogers.
Herrera’s lineup was all very White House-worthy, if a bit four-administrations-ago. The collection seemed to bend over backward for modesty’s sake.
The social secretary and the Vogue editor also made stops at Donna Karan (Click for Review) and Thakoon (Click for Review).
At the latter, the house was packed, including Mrs. Obama’s fashion consultant Ikram Goldman, who had an animated chat with Rogers before the show. To his credit, the designer did not pander to that corner, showing a variety of looks that may never make their way up Pennsylvania Avenue. Still, we’d love to see her in his bomber jacket and skirt in a bonded velvet and rib knit fabric combo. (READ: Q&A With Ikram Goldman)
Inexplicably, the Hilton sisters and Kim Kardashian were the front-row guests at Tracy Reese, a designer who has already sent some commissions over for the first lady. Reese explored her inner Sexy Librarian for fall, giving flirty tiered dresses and oxfords a 1920s twist.
Paris and Nicky stole the show again at Jill Stuart, where her rock ‘n’ roll Lolita looks were a more authentic match. Ruffled pastel organza dresses got the tough chick treatment with stiletto boots and corsaged fedoras and black leather hooked up with lace.
Now that’s hot.