USA: Design houses Luca Luca and Bill Blass show that they know how to cater to their audiences with classic feminine styles at New York's fashion week

Record ID: 197712

  • Title: USA: Design houses Luca Luca and Bill Blass show that they know how to cater to their audiences with classic feminine styles at New York's fashion week
  • Date: 11th February 2006
  • Summary: FASHION DESIGNER MICHAEL VOLLBRACHT TALKING TO REPORTERS BACKSTAGE AT BILL BLASS FASHION SHOW MODELS GETTING THEIR HAIR DONE (SOUNDBITE) (English) FASHION DESIGNER MICHAEL VOLLBRACHT SAYING: "My first goal is to win a customer. We have so few, because we dress one tenth of one percent of the American woman. And I have to go out there and secure her, because when she goes into Neiman's or Saks we can get a 75 thousand (USD) sale."
  • Embargoed: 26th February 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Fashion
  • Reuters ID: LVAAQJTEEJ6F8FX8H59IUEOCQRAA
  • Story Text: Simple and classic were the themes at fashion week on Tuesday (February 7, 2006), when design houses Luca Luca and Bill Blass showed their fall 2006 collections.
    Although his line is produced in Italy, where Luca Orlandi of Luca Luca is from, Orlandi says he considers himself an American designer.
    Backstage, as champagne flowed, Orlandi talked about the designs in this collection.
    "The silhouette are a little simpler, that doesn't mean they are prude, but you know there is not so much ruffle, not so much appliqués, but we just used very rich fabrics...double faced cashmere, angora, alpaca, and we cut them a little simpler way," he said.
    Orlandi used a more neutral palette with variations of grey and beige. The designs were simple but rich looking, with brocade fabrics and black rounding out the collection. Orlandi did not use much ornamentation, although some large bows were fixed at the sides of dresses and at the neck on some pieces. Luxurious was certainly a theme evident throughout the show.
    Nicky Hilton and her good friend Kristin Cavallari were just a few of the celebrities whom attended the show.
    Backstage at the Bill Blass show, designer Michael Vollbracht talked to reporters as models had their hair and makeup applied.
    Vollbracht pointed out that his collection hasn't changed, which is what makes it special. He says that he truly designs an exclusive clientele and keeps those women and their tastes in mind when he put together his collection.
    "My first goal is to win a customer. We have so few, because we dress one tenth of one percent of the American woman. And I have to go out there and secure her, because when she goes into Neiman's or Saks we can get a 75 thousand (USD) sale," he said.
    The Blass palette included rich reds, bordeaux, camel, olive, teal, and black. Gowns were opulent and sophisticated, and many of the designs were accented with fur.
    The collection was a hit with fans like actress Cynthia Nixon, of "Sex and the City" fame.
    "It's so beautiful. And there's such a range. I always love the beautiful coats and there were certainly...they were in great evidence. The gowns, I do need them from time to time but also so many beautiful casual stuff. Even stuff to wear to the office. It makes me wish I worked in an office," Nixon said of the collection.
    Olympus Fashion week continues in New York through February 10.
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