Ripping the Collections: Laura, Part Eins

Like Uli, Laura seemed to understand that the "show" part of "fashion show" was of almost equal importance to the "fashion" part. She made near-perfect model and styling choices (although we have quibbles with the latter) and provided fantastic music that perfectly illustrated both her own personality as a designer as well as the cocktail party aesthetic she's selling. It may have been just a bit too up-tempo for walking music but strangely enough - and we wouldn't put this past Laura as deliberate - the clothes were moving in perfect time to the music. The shimmying beads and ribbon-bedecked shoes gave the illusion the models were dancing down the runway instead of walking down it.

Let's start the show.

Out of her entire collection, she couldn't have picked a better look to kick it off. Every single person in that tent and watching at home had a certain expectation when they heard the name Laura Bennett and this was not it. It had an immediate perk-up-in-your-seat effect.

This was one of our favorites, not only of Laura's but of all 4 collections. Laura probably never will fully embrace a "clean" aesthetic, but this is as close as she's gonna get. Simple, flattering and feminine, it boasts that patented Laura effect, the "scroll-down," meaning the dress gets more interesting as you look down. We also have to say that the model and styling were perfect for this dress. Simple, but dramatic.

This dress starts off low-impact, but we liked it more every time we looked at it. Blow up the picture to get a better look. The fabric is gorgeous. Our one critique is that we don't like where the hem hits. If it had been just a couple inches higher, it would have looked younger and sassier and still been flattering on a variety of women.

All season long, we've been hearing "Laura has no range! Plunging necklines! Tight skirts! Beading! Old!" Fair enough. We don't necessarily agree, but it's a fair point. What bugs us is people are still saying that about her and we look at this dress and we're puzzled as to why. Almost everything about this dress is outside Laura's expected milieu. Young, flowy, simple, pretty.

It should be noted that Laura has an excellent understanding of who should be wearing her clothes. If she had dressed one of her paler, blonder, more conventionally pretty models in this dress, it wouldn't have registered at all.

This was the only true clunker in the collection. We're forced to ask Michael Kors' favorite question: "Who is this woman and where is she going in this outfit?" Unfortunately, the answer is "A Rockette on the way to work."

Seriously, it's too costumey and we honestly can't picture any woman dressing up in this and going out. Strangely - and it pains us to say this - that jacket doesn't look particularly well-fitted to the model. And we hate the poof on the collar. One thing's for sure: this is an outfit for a woman who doesn't smoke. Otherwise, the poor thing would wind up as the sparkliest patient in the burn ward.

This is another one that forces the Michael Kors question. Who is the woman that would wear this? Laura, of course. That's not entirely fair because the crowd seemed to love it. Lorenzo loved this dress more than Tom did. It's definitely dramatic and interesting. The one real quibble is the waist on the... pants? Tights? It comes up a skosh too high, giving it a slightly "granny panty" vibe. Otherwise, it's a sophisticated, sexy look. A shame about the titty tape, but a careful viewing of the backstage scenes leads us to conclude that this was a last-minute addition that only became visible under the bright lights of the runway.

Funny side note: Laura was convinced we were going to make fun of her for the titty tape.

When we were discussing this dress, Tom said it looked too severe, but Lorenzo made the point "Yes, but it's very runway." He's right. It's definitely a high-impact dress that stands out in a collection almost entirely made up of high-impact dresses. Slinky and dramatic, the lace is absolutely gorgeous and the shrug is outstanding. It's made out of feathers, people.

The outfit is gorgeous; it's the styling we don't get. Granted, an up-do is about the only hairstyle possible with this look, but it's too severe, too don't-cry-for-me-Argentina. Laura said she wanted youthful styling during her hair and makeup consultations, so we're puzzled about this choice.

Part Zwei coming soon!


[Photos: FirstView]


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