Nanette Lepore, Fall Winter 2009 (Photo by Maurice Pinzon)
by Maurice Pinzon
Last Wednesday during New York Fashion Week, young women coming out of Bryant Park’s Promenade had many positive things to say about Nanette Lepore’s Fall & Winter 2009 collection.
Ms. Lepore, a New York designer whose clothing is manufactured in the city’s apparel factories, seemed to have a very committed following based on interviews conducted by New York News Network after the show.
Dalia Hoffman, a 19 year-old college student, walking out with three of her friends after the show, was asked to comment on Ms. Lepore’s collection. All four young women reacted enthusiastically, saying they would love to wear Ms. Lepore’s clothing.
Nanette Lepore. Fall Winter 2009 (Photo by Maurice Pinzon)
One of Ms. Hoffman’s friends, speaking as if she were a seasoned fashion commentator, said she thought the clothes were, “playful, colorful.” Then she added, “Really a good blend of the next coming season.”
Another piped in to say, “Her skirts are fabulous and the tuxedo backs are really nice.”
Ms. Hoffman, who told this reporter that she wears a Nanette Lepore jacket and dress, explained that Ms. Lepore was her favorite designer. Ms. Hoffman said she liked leather the skirts in the show most of all. “I thought it was really different for her. It was really fashion forward, and she added, “at the same time really classy.”
Nanette Lepore. Fall Winter 2009 (Photo by Maurice Pinzon)
Whitney Peterson, who walked out of the show with her friend Megan Dale, also owns Lepore clothes. She said, “I thought it [the collection] was amazing. The clothes were just very unique.” Ms. Peterson added that Ms. Lepore’s collection was, “very feminine, and a lot of tweed, and just beautiful.”
Ms. Hoffman said, “The coats were just beautiful. Those are always my favorite by her; the coats, and also the dresses.” She pointed out that the clothes had an interesting “vintage effect.”
One critic, an independent buyer who did not want to be identified because she was not authorized to speak about the collection, said:
“[Nanette Lepore] stayed true to her usual style. Gypsy vibe with lots of rich embroidery in gold. The cuts are mostly simple but with small flares and feminine touches. A mix of interesting styling choices with different fabrics such as detailed sequined tops and leather pants, colorful plaid jackets contrasting against black tights.”
Nanette Lepore. Fall Winter 2009 (Photo by Maurice Pinzon)
She added, “While a few pieces looked playful, others fell into a messy category, with too many different colors and textures, as if randomly put together.”
Conversely, Erin Burke, a buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue, had a more positive view. She said, “I think it looked great. I loved all the fabrics, and the beading. It looked good.”
“I think they’re great pieces, great dresses, great knits. Yea, they definitely work,” she added.
Nanette Lepore. Fall Winter 2009 (Photo by Maurice Pinzon)
Nanette Lepore. Fall Winter 2009 (Photo by Maurice Pinzon)