NEW YORK – NEW YORK (AP) – Christian Siriano marked 15 years in the business Friday, with Sia performing on his runway and a nostalgic, ballet-inspired fantasy on his models during New York Fashion Week.
„I’m very proud of everything we’ve done,” he told The Associated Press backstage. „All the amazing people we helped dress up and feel confident about themselves.”
It wouldn’t be a Siriano milestone if longtime muse Coco Rocha hadn’t dramatically strutted down the runway. This time, it was at The Pier, a luxury New York hotel, and this time, she wore a frothy pink ballet gown adorned with multicolored sequins, her hair flowing freely and Sia peeking out from behind a large white wig with pink highlights. Bow.
It wouldn’t be a Siriano show without a star-studded front row. Her guests included Janet Jackson, Quinta Brunson, Kesha, Rosie Perez, Laura Linney and Avril Lavigne.
In a way, Siriano returned to his roots. Among his early inspirations was his sister, a ballet dancer. From gold and copper ombre on ballgowns and suits to big champagne-colored sleeves and necklines on sleek and mini party frocks, she rolled out leotard- and tutu-inspired touches and strong black to go with a variety of sparklers.
„It’s a very ballet, ballerina-inspired collection, like where I grew up,” Siriano said. “My sister and I were backstage in costumes, hair and makeup, all black warm ups, and then in this Sugar Plum Fairy dream world. That’s what I wanted to show, the restrained dark side of ballet in a really magical fantasy world, which I fell in love with in the costumes.
She wanted something for everyone, including her plus-size clientele, represented by the plus-size models she has adopted over the years.
This time, her runway included men, one in a short, strapless gold corset jumpsuit, and another in a black tutu skirt with a midriff tuxedo jacket.
„I still love fantasy, and I think that’s why I love a show,” Siriano said. I don’t do a show unless it’s exciting and imaginative for me. It’s a lot of money to put some jeans and a t-shirt on the runway.