“I think the one thing I wanted my collection to be this season was multicultural, elegant evening glamour.  My line is really for the customer—it’s for new love.  The Christian Siriano woman buys cocktail dresses, gowns, and they love the fantasy!” –Christian Siriano

Christian Siriano is not the first designer to pair his line with a retail outlet, in this case Payless™.  His elegant designs seem too sophisticated, too couture, too expensive.  Yet he has managed to make this marriage work with the budget shoe retailer, not one, but two seasons in a row.  The Project Runway designer has been deemed the new Mark Jacobs.  I always cringe when I hear comparisons like that.  But Siriano is an inventive, young, fresh designer with something new to offer.  Last February on the runway, Siriano presented a very rich variety of black, gray, fuchsia, and blue in their deepest palettes.  His mix of fabrics melded together nicely for a well-styled, cohesive runway show.  And he always closes with his pièce de résistance—the extravagant operatic evening gown.  His spring 2011 collection was similar in its momentum, but very different in its theme.

Siriano’s use of prints was very consistent thematically.  I appreciated his choice of colors for spring, but white after Labor Day . . . really?  The show opened with a series of cognac, champagne, ivory, and bone whites with varying designs ranging from the Stretch Cotton Kimono Shirt Dress to the Brocade Classic Sheath Dress with Draped Organza Front.  He then teased us with the two metallic dresses:  Antique Sequin One-Shoulder Dress with Beaded Trim and Antique Sequin Beaded Gown.  The amber print was a good choice.  It set the stage for Siriano’s billowy sleeves, feminine details, and floral accents.  He fused a series of retro 80s blazers with a modern twist.   He took the one-off shoulder trend and added a spaghetti strap.  He took the godessy out of the gown and put it in a cocktail dress.  Wide-legged trousers, pencil skirts and wrap-dresses flowed seamlessly on the runway.  Then, again presenting his pièces de résistance—the extravagant operatic evening gowns in  amber print, bone and paprika.

On the models’ feet were Payless™ shoes, which complemented the Christian Siriano Spring 2011 collection inspired by African, Indian, and Chinese influences.  “Since the apparel for spring is very feminine and pretty, I really wanted the shoes to form a harder, edgier contrast,” said Siriano.  Together Payless™ and Siriano created shoes that combined four key styles, ranging from the peep-toe pump, tubular caged strap stiletto, the bootie, and the classic platform.  It’s obvious that the Siriano/Payless™ team is a winning combination evolving every season.