NYC THE EPICENTER OF RED CARPET FASHION(c) By Polly Guerin

Fashion heats up the red carpet runways as New York’s Fashion Week is in full gallop and the shows kick into high gear at Lincoln Center and other venues including the Glory of Spanish dress and the CFDA celebrates America’s celebrated designers. It’s the Best of New York, my friends. All eyes are on New York, the fashion capital of the world. Here’s the scoop!!!
THE FALL 2012 COLLECTIONS As New York Fashion Week unfolds runway shows introduce new designers who shape style in colors, cuts and fabric that bring fresh energy to new fashion designer collections. Strange new names like Thakoon Panichgul mixed ‘old-school’ elegance of New York in wearable ensembles with a twist, while old-time Tommy Hilfiger’s ‘military prep’ made the mark for new style options. Prabal Gurung is another designer who tapped into New York with a ladies-who-lunch approach to lunch dresses that go to office as well. Norma Kamli’s new KamliKulture collection brings out career classics while Suno layered imaginative mixed prints. The chic pile up of some 200 up-to-the-minute fashion shows are featured in more photos and reviews at www.wwd.com/runway.
OSCAR DE LA RENTA CHANNELING JOAQUIN SOROLLA The ‘Glory of Spanish Dress’ at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute’s exhibition, curated by the celebrated designer, Oscar de la Renta and Vogue’s Andre Leon Talley is a ‘must see.’ Joaquin Sorolla’s life-size paintings feature traditional clothing, ceremonial costumes and jewelry of each region from Seville to Navarre to Castille. The most splendid wedding dress from Christian Lacroix’s final show in 2009 in center stage on the 3rd floor is a compelling toast to haute couture influenced by Spanish dress, while rich embellishment surfaces in a fiery mix of ribbon, bows, tassels, fringe, lace and gold bullion. Many pleats, gathers and voluminous fabrics of magnificent vintage seemingly move to the rhythm of the Flamenco. Though March 10. At 684 Park Ave. @ 68th St.
CFDA WAVES THE FASHION FLAG “Impact; Fifty years of the CFDA,” The Museum at FIT’s spectacular exhibition gives us cause to salute the talented American designers who have had an “Impact” on fashion over 5 decades with 70 garments on display and some accessories. The garments displayed against the museum’s walls feature themed vignettes, an evening wear group includes Oscar de la Renta’s stunning yellow taffeta ball gown with black guipure lace top, pictured here. Traina-Norell’s evening ensemble, a sequined camel silk jersey sheath dress with hand applied sequins is paired with a cashmere coat lined with sequins. Diane von Furstenberg’s leopard printed wrap dress circa 1974 transcends time with ‘ wear it then wear it now’ function, and the same could be true of Arnold Scassi’s 1955 theater/opera ensemble, a beige coat lined with a rose printed taffeta to match the dress. Through April 17, 2012. Admission is FREE. Location: 27th Street and & 7th Avenue, Tuesday through Friday, noon to 8pm; Saturday 10-5pm. Visit www.fitnyc.edu/musuem.
A FRAGRANT FASHION AROMA The Dillon Gallery in Chelsea has plenty to smell about in the work of perfumer Christophe Laudamiel, who has designed fragrances for Ralph Lauren, Estee Lauder and Tom Ford, to name a few. Mr. Laudamiel in his DreamAir laboratory is testing the commercial possibilities of establishing perfumery as a fine-art form. You can test your olfactory senses. Concealed electronic boxes use lightly compressed air to pump out vaporized smells. Mr. Laudamiel has created what is called ‘scent sculptures’ that conjure a diversified range of aromas including citrus, a musty cave and a banana monkey smell. At 555W. 25th St. (11th Ave.) Open Tues-Sat. 10am-6pm. 212.727.8585.
Ta Ta Darlings!!! I’m overwhelmed with Fashion in New York and my olfactory senses yearn to smell a Polly fragrance. Fan mail welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net. Visit Polly’s Blogs at www.pollytalk.com and click on the links in the left-hand column, such as http://www.thefashionhistorianpollyguerin.blogspot.com.