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Forté, presented by Seam Collective, was a smash hit.  It had all the elements that make up an excellent fashion show: a red carpet, late starts, pounding music, striking clothing, goodie bags, swarming style photographers & an open bar.  There was even a fellow wearing a harness full of harmonicas.

The show was a celebration of female fashion designers, featuring the ready-to-wear collections of four young up-&-coming New Yorkers.  The show was headlined by Kenley Collins (of Project Runway fame), with Elizabeth Roynish, Sheila Frank & Marissa Erskine also sending fabulous spring frocks down the catwalk.  In addition to showcasing talent, Forté was a charitable event for Gilda’s Club, a non-profit organization for people living with cancer.  The proceeds of a silent auction & half the ticket sales were donated to the organization.

While Elizabeth Roynish & Sheila Frank showed brave use of color & texture, the stand-out collections were those by Kenley Collins & Marissa Erskine.  On Project Runway, Collins was known for her obvious affection for all things retro, & she carries a torch for this passion all the way through her label.  Anchored in royal blue  & white, and mixing spirited stripes with delicate floral prints, she showed swimsuits and evening dresses with a decidedly vintage flavor.  Citing inspiration from Amelia Earhart, the looks were feminine but strong at the same time.  The models marched down the runway to 1920’s ditties with bold red lips.  Simple white headbands & fluffy tulle hats added whimsy & gave onlookers reason to smile.

Erskine’s collections seemed to mostly focus on interesting silhouettes, bringing to mind tulips, butterflies & cocoons, in delicate gold fabrics.  She contrasted braided details with light, drapey knits, high black shoes & decadent frills worn around the ankle to delightful effect.  It was a wonderful spring collection, delicate & graceful, though its wear-ability seemed somewhat cruel given the chilly temperatures outside!

Of course, as is often the way at events like these, especially in New York, the people attending were just as interesting than what came stalking down the runway.  In the front row, I sat beside a jewelery designer who rubbed up against my faux fur coat sensuously for the duration of the show, & later asked me to show her my thighs before practically mounting me on the sidewalk.  The show was emceed by Sinsu Co — you might remember her as that girl who refused to change her hairstyle on Paris Hilton’s My New BFF.  As the celebrations were winding down, she posed for photos with my photographer & I, saying, “Let’s pretend that we’re laughing!” (Needless to say, the photos are quite special!)  Desperately unflattering pictures were taken of a photographer for National Geographic, & rumors of Richard Gere lingering just around the corner ran rampant.

Congratulations are in order to Seam Collective for putting on such a great event.  Bravo, bravo!

Words by Gala Darling, Photos by Chloe Rice

 

2.53 (15 votes)

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