NYFW: BCBG is Goes Drapey and Layered for Fall 2011

Cynthia Cheng Mintz

The first runway show of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was BCBGMaxAzria, who streamed their Fall/Winter 2011 collection online (Other shows streaming live include Marc Jacobs, Herve Leger as well as Michael Kors). There were some technical glitches just before the start, with the stream freezing for a few minutes, but after a refresh of the page (which took forever to reload), things worked well. As with all fashion shows, of course, it got a late start (officially, it was to start at 10 am ET, but the first model didn’t walk until approximately 10:25).

Screenshot of the BCBGMaxAzria runway Fall/Winter 2011 show

I can’t say that I am overwhelmed by the Fall/Winter 2011 collection. I realize that this isn’t the entire-entire collection, only their “runway” pieces, but as a BCBG fan, I wasn’t pleased that few of the pieces would suit most body types. The skirts were on the long side – below the knee, even calf length, which would not look good no shorter women or even tall, fuller figured ladies. As well, there were plenty of low waisted dresses, which are definitely bad on anyone under say, 5’8″ (some of the dresses are just belted low – short and average-heighted women MIGHT be able to get away with belting at waist, but it really depends on their frame). The clothes also seemed to drape over the models – it was as if they were just thrown on. It made many of them look a little bulk. Of course, most people wouldn’t be wearing all of the pieces together at the same time, but still. Really, the general rule is, if it doesn’t look that great on the models, it won’t look good at all on non-models.

Of course, the collection wasn’t all bad. The camel cape is definitely a must have in our books, as were some of the dresses (but only if belted higher. Hip belts are a definite no-no for most). The colours, which include reds, greenish golds as well as white (in addition to the fall/winter “standard” of black/charcoal) are a welcome change.

The entire Fall/Winter 2011 collection can be viewed online here. The Herve Leger show will be on February 15 at 2 pm Eastern Time.

About Cynthia Cheng Mintz

Cynthia Cheng Mintz is the founder and webitor-in-chief of this site and the petite-focused site, Shorty Stories. She has also written for other publications including the Toronto Star and has blogged for The Huffington Post. Her first novel, Aspirations, was published in 2007. Outside of writing, Cynthia researches and advises philanthropic ideas for family funds and foundations and also volunteers.