Outside In

"Glass Platform" by Marina Berio

In her curatorial debut Mary Daly Pattee has a smashing success with Outside In at the la viola bank gallery.

Showing 6 artists, Daphne Arthur, Marina Berio, Diane Carr, Mira O'Brien, Leighton Pierce, and Christopher Saunders; the standout pieces were glass platform by Mira O'Brien a mixed media installation of images of a leafless canopied blue sky covered in glass that looked as though it had been trampled by the stilettos of fashion weeks models (if they were a bit heavier). Christopher Saunders' entire series of oil paintings were amazing in their ability to simultaneously express a flat one-dimensionality with the expansiveness of unending atmospheric space while playing with perspective.

Additionally, The video installation by Leighton Pierce downstairs was comprised of three simultaneously running projections of what appeared to be the same bench and its interactions with a mysterious woman set in the woods. The video was dizzyingly out of focus and frenetic in it's movements but in whole it drew you into the piece and the abstract beauty of the colors of nature rather than being distracting.

Works by Christopher Saunders

ADAM - Spring 2010

Casual and soft, these slouchy loungey clothes are perfect for a sunny day in any locale, not just Lamu – a small island in the Indian Ocean off the Kenyan coast which inspired the Spring 2010 collection. The prints of flowers and butterflies scattered throughout were fun and girly without being overbearing. Ostrich feathers glammed up the runway a bit making appearances with metallic detailing as skirts and a dress. I loved the color palate of pale blues, lavenders, and a punch of turquoise all complimenting a buttery cream base. The super soft tissue-weight jerseys are not unexpected from a clothier who always has the finest fabric selections. The pieces adorned with metallic beads brought in some sparkle in an earthy organic way – although occasionally a bit heavy-handed. The palliate skirt is bound to grab everyone’s attention as it walk down the street. My favorite piece was a silver metallic dress that is ethereal and gauzy in contrast to some of the chunkier metallic beading work. Welcome back from vacation Adam and thanks for bringing New York this breath of fresh air.

Poleci - Spring 2010

Drastic improvements from last season at Poleci. From construction to aesthetics this season was many steps in the right direction. The color palate was a little bleak - washed out purples, deep river blues, and dull camo greens. There were some interesting textures created by layering sheer fabrics and gathering. The two standout pieces involved a fun blue sequin fabric which was a sparkling relief amidst the drab matte silks that permeated the collection. The shoes were as clunky as the color choices. There are a lot of interesting and wearable pieces but as a whole there is still some room for improvement at Poleci.

Christian Siriano - Spring 2010

This kid really needs to give up on these hats – oversized even for the Ascot opening day scene from My Fair Lady… Beyond that the clothes were stylish, well tailored, and elegant. Warm silvers and rosy beiges paraded up and down the runway. Ranging from snug and sleek dresses and suits to billowy and soft blouses and skirts, everything seemed to take a minimalist and monochromatic tone. A detailing of blue piping finally accenting the sea of beige hinted at the color splash to come. Then finally, midway through the show, an abstract print of a variegated blue and grey appeared. The print is bold and interesting but can be somewhat aggressive as an 80’s style propelled ruffle or – pushing it even further - a skin tight jumpsuit. I pause. Was Mystique just on the runway? The deep aqua chiffon that grounds the print is calm and serene. Suddenly the palette warmed up with a red top standing out from the rest and we got hotter golds and a red print cocktail dress with petal pleats - apparently Christian is watching reality TV? Super aggressive ball gowns in reds and rose shut down the show, although my favorite was the blue evening gown which he showed before the color shift. Very typical of Siriano’s reputation as a showman to end by hitting you over the head with a bunch of big statement pieces; maybe if I wore one of those ridiculous hats I would be a bit more protected. Nonetheless this was generally a very solid collection you will definitely see around Manhattan this spring and the shoes were to die for!