NEW YORK (AP) — New York Fashion Week was equal parts celebrity and sophistication Tuesday, with runway shows that included a collection by red carpet favorite Naeem Khan and a new line by Serena Williams.
Naomi Campbell made an appearance at Badgley Mischka’s show, which also marked its silver anniversary, while a trio caused a stir with a no-clothes fashion moment.
Here are some of the highlights from the day:
____
FROM GRAND SLAM TO GRAND FASHION
Fresh off her third straight U.S. Open win, Serena Williams took on New York Fashion Week with her first runway show, as a celebrity crowd that included Vogue editor Anna Wintour watched from the front row.
The tennis champ said she was working on the collection, a mix of casual and dress clothes for the shopping network HSN, even while she was mowing down competitors at the U.S. Open — casting models and choosing their looks. She was inspired by couture shows like Dior, but with a toned down vibe, she said.
She captured the title on Sunday by defeating good friend Caroline Wozniacki, who showed up at Tuesday’s show to support Williams. Williams said she planned to return the favor by coming back to New York when Wozniacki is scheduled to run the New York City Marathon in November.
–Nekesa Mumbi Moody
___
TORY BURCH’S ARTISTIC INSPIRATION
There were sequins, there were fringes, and there were, of course, purses. Tory Burch’s spring collection was an eclectic mix of bold patterns and looks that could morph from a day wedding to a cocktail party to the red carpet.
Among the key looks: A shirt minidress with color blocks of red, black, blue and orange; cream pants with dark tree prints with a dark-blue solid waist stripe; black-and-white patterned cotton shorts with a fringe; an ankle-long taupe dress accented by metallic designs; and pants with blue, black and cream vertical stripes and tuxedo-like black stripes running down the side. The fabrics were varied too, from knits and cottons to canvas and linens.
–Nekesa Mumbi Moody
____
NAEEM KHAN’S FASHION OOPS
A king of brilliant and bejeweled red carpet dressing, Naeem Khan mixed his signature sparkle with gowns of sporty stripes Tuesday at New York Fashion Week.
He had a single oops moment — for most women, anyway — in a shorty short outfit of open red panels that exposed an intrepid model’s thonged backside.
Khan rolled out the dazzle in silver, gold and a starburst of white in a beaded cocktail dress. There were shiny satins in kelly green and sunny yellow in several styles.
For that Hollywood moment when only mega-watt gold will do, Khan provided a fully sequined, body-skimming gown, flaired at the bottom with an open, sexy back.
–Leanne Italie
____
BADGLEY MISCHKA CELEBRATES SILVER ANNIVERSARY WITH GOLDEN NAOMI
Badgley Mischka celebrated its 25th year with a New York Fashion Week show that featured their signature sumptuous gowns and a queen of glamour — Naomi Campbell.
The supermodel joined Mark Badgley and James Mischka briefly on the runway Tuesday, amid cascading silver balloons, as the duo celebrated their silver anniversary together. The brand is known for delicate, dazzling dresses, and delivered that once again for its spring collection.
Ruffles were a recurring theme, including a beige jacket with two layers off it, and they also appeared on other looks. And even the more sedate looks were stunners, including a silvery sleek beaded dress with beaded belt to match.
–Nekesa Mumbi Moody
___
QUICKQUOTE
“We are happy in general with New York so far, but it’s not over yet, we are still doing counts. We’ve got three, four other countries to go, so we always do the count at the end.” — Naomi Campbell on the diversity of women featured on the runways. The supermodel was an outspoken critic on the lack of women of color on the runway in past seasons.
–Gina Abdy
____
SOMETIMES, NO CLOTHES IS A FASHION STATEMENT
As a line formed down the block for Serena Williams’ fashion debut, a few were gawking at a group who made a considerable statement without any clothes whatsoever.
An artist was painting three nude models — two women and one man — on a city sidewalk a few feet away from Williams’ show, which was unrelated. It was a work in process; before Williams’ show began, one woman was not fully painted, with one breast bare. But by the time the show ended, the models had plenty of paint — blue, red and white — on their bodies.
The man painting them said it was “public art.”
____
Follow AP fashion coverage all through Fashion Week at http://www.twitter.com/AP_Fashion
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
