When a Studio 54 alum, New York fashion mogul and CFDA president puts on a show, you know it will be quite a night. We list four things we loved about the opening night at Singapore Fashion Week with Diane von Furstenberg.
It is easy to know you are at a DVF show. One: Most of the women in attendance are decked out in the designer’s iconic wrap dress. Secondly, there are plenty of prints in the midst: On the venue’s wallpaper, the show’s backdrop, the outfits of the guests and the uniform of the PR girls. Last night’s show, which kicked off the five-day long Singapore Fashion Week, was also about celebrating power dressing and feminine sex appeal.
As the designer puts it: “By day she commands her world; by night she inspires fantasy.” The collection hinted at mafioso chic with Al Capone-style pinstripes and super sharp pants suits. But there’s also the noir side to the collection, with Veronica Lake-inspired gowns and plush fabrics and embellishments. Clothes aside, here are the other things we loved about the show.
1. Hot Buns: The sleek do was the hair style of the night. It’s literally a cinch to get, but gives you instant chic. Just pull your hair into a ponytail and twist it. The more fly away strands you have, the cooler the look.
2. The Glitterati: Besides prints, DVF loves bling and sparkle (she started designing jewellery back in the ’70s and recently relaunched her costume jewellery career). She once said: “I really love jewellery that makes noise and makes a statement. I also like fluidity in jewellery. It’s all treated like fabric.”
3. The Oriental factor: We all know first-hand what happens when western designers interpret Chinois chic. DVF does it like a pro, and you would actually want to wear them. The Oriental influence in her collection is strong: It was everywhere from the blinds of the runway set, the crimson colour palette, the embroidery and peony prints. But they were done super tastefully.
4. The Front Row: Dr Iroshini Chua came in a mid-riff DVF runway look, socialites Celina Lin and Sabrina Ault twirled in their full midi skirts, and fashion stylist Karen Ng rocked in Balmain. In short: The style wattage of the front row guests was like a mini fashion show in itself.
Like this? Find out more about what DVF is up to in Singapore.