At last: Gowns for next week's runway show

Here are a couple gowns that will be at the bridal runway show next Friday at the Conrad.
Left: Vera Wang
Right: Amsale
Attendance is invitation only, but for inquiries contact Ryan Hendrickson at 317-228-9333.

Oscar night fashion: the good, the bad and the ugly

Miley Cyrus, Sarah Jessica Parker and Penelope Cruz all looked spectacular last night, belles of the ball even. When don't they? But only SJP was truely able to pull off the Disney princess look. Cyrus' Zuhair Murad number looked yummy, but more in a wedding cake way than a gorgeous way. And Cruz' vintage Balmain bore a striking resemblence to Belle's yellow gown in Beauty and the Beast. She said she saw it in a vintage clothing shop eight years ago and when she went back to get it for the show, it was still there. Gee, I wonder why? Sure, Amy Adams wore something similar in "Enchanted" but she was, um, a fairytale princess in that movie.

SJP, on the other hand, was radiant in her Dior Haute Couture. More Oscar Barbie than Hostess snack cake, her tulle skirt and bead-encrusted micro-bodice excentuated her tiny waistline and, well, her decolletage. Sure, her cleavage was a tad distracting, but come on, it was perfectly symetrical. An extra inch or so up top wouldn't have hurt, but Tim Gunn wasn't complaining and that's good enough for me.

The silver Versace gown was perfect on Marisa Tomei's tiny frame. Only a size 00 can pull of pleats like that. So what if one gets dizzy watching her walk in that thing? The work in that skirt deserves applause all it's own.

Jessica Biel's Prada...thing was just too big as was Amanda Seyfried's Valentino Haute Couture. Amanda, you are great, and so lovely, and I'm glad you did another role soon after "Mean Girls" so we all know you're not actually that dumb, but please. Alter your couture.

By the way, since when does Meryl Streep have a Calvin Klein model for a daughter? Grace Gummer, we'll refer to her as baby Streep, obviously dressed to complement her mother, who was wearing a Grecian-ish grey frock. Baby Streep donned a fawn-colored strapless sheath that was so beautifully constructed it looked seamless. Sorry baby Streep, you're not famous enough yet for any of the red carpet people to have asked you what you were wearing. But, darn it, you looked great in it.

Take a look at all of the above-mentioned looks on the Cut. Sadly excluded, though, is baby Streep.

Vera Wang to show bridal collection at the Conrad

Vera Wang's Spring 2009 collection, which waltzed down the runway at her New York store yesterday afternoon, didn't include bridal gowns. But it certainly whets the appetite for what's to come next week when Vera Wang Chicago unveils its latest nuptial couture.

The third annual Platinum Wedding Gala takes place Feb. 27 at the Conrad and will feature a Vera Wang bridal runway show, plus a taste of the latest offerings from more than 25 local wedding professionals.

The photo at the right is from Vera Wang Chicago's Web site. It's stunning, but won't necessarily be at Friday's show. I've requested photos of gowns that will, so I'll put those up if they ever come.

Many of Wang's spring pieces utilized Scuba material, which is hot, even if you're not taking the plunge any time soon. Also lots of black sheaths and sequins. yum.

Indianapolis company throws Jason Wu fashion week bash

New York, Valentine's Day eve--

The streets are abuzz with flower delivery men, walking hastily as best they can under the weight of heart-shaped boxes, vases, bouquets, teddy bears, etc. Love is in the air. And so is fashion. Feb. 13 to many was just another Friday, but to the most well-dressed among us, it was the first night of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Indianapolis receives little local coverage of the event, though it costs and earns millions. But there are those Hoosiers who keep a steady flow of runway footage on at least one Firefox tab. In Brizo's case, a local faucet manufacturer, they keep a stream of cash flowing through Jason Wu's label. One of his largest sponsors, Brizo has maintained a relationship with Wu for the last two years. It all began when he designed gowns for Brizo's underwater dancer ad campain.

Like many designers chose to do this year, Wu's show didn't take place under the glamorous tents at Bryant Park. Rather, in the name of frugality and in support of individualists, it was at Exit Art, a non-profit cultural center on Manhattan's West side.

The show opened with sportswear, sashayed down the crowd-level runway to Nick Drake's "Pink Moon," appropriate, considering the vintage influences in each piece. Beginning with a shadow print, black and white chiffon blouse paired with flannel pant and blazer, the color pallet when from subtle to striking. Case in point: a short-sleaved, chartreuse number that NY's "The Cut" girls expect to see on Michelle Obama very soon.

If I could afford it, I'd expect to see the grey cashmere sheath with embroidered epaulets on myself, very soon.

Evening featured lots of tiered ruffles and fringe, a trend I can't yet swallow, and loose-fitting tank dresses. Think Throughly Modern Milly, only even more modern. A video of the show is available for your viewing pleasure at brizo.com

Michelle Obama didn't show, even though the Vogue cover featuring her ladyship in another Wu creation was released this week. Anna Wintour, however, was in attendance, with plenty of protection. Oh yes, she's got body guards.

Photos courtesy of Jayme Thornton