Dries Van Noten's Walk of Shame Show

Dries Van Noten - one of fashion's leading playmakers and trendsetters - found the one element that had arguably been missing from his stylish and elegant oeuvre - sex.

Van Noten's clothes, besides being highly influential, have always flattered women; this particularly memorable spring 2013 collection show, staged Wednesday, Sept. 26, in Paris was a loving homage to beauty, but with a naughty twist.

"Red lips, but very well done, and chic but with the hair and a attitude that was a little more, well, sleazy," admitting a chuckling Van Noten backstage.

There was not one bum note in this show, doubly impressive for the designer was working on the edge, taking quite a few risks, trying the unlikely and seeing it work.

Van Noten kept his fabrics super light - his favorite material was a double layer of organza - yet the colors were far from summery, if anything as dull as marsh in fall. Yet they all worked.

The juxtaposition rippled through the collection. The shapes were ladylike and very couture, from the artful turn of jackets and the ballooning sleeves. Yet a posh punk would have loved the looks, many completed by plaid grunge shirts.

As for the models, their messy hair, huge sunglasses and precise red lips, all evoked a hip urban gal.

Hyper organized Van Noten greeted fans backstage sporting a fully-fledged tan. Most designers scramble to finish their collections, often putting in overnight shifts before shows. Not Van Noten, who spent the previous weekend on vacation in Capri.

"We finished this collection in August. I had to. We started selling then. So all I could do was get nervous in Paris," he said.

Faintly louche yet definitely feminine, this was a tour de force by Van Noten, a timely lesson in the power of fashion to evoke emotions and to recall them.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/dries-van-notens-walk-shame-show-204737700.html

Alexa Vega 2012 Olympics Chad Everett London Olympics Kristen Stewart Rupert Sanders Photos BBC 2016 Olympics