The Douglas Hannant show this morning was a veritable who’s who of New York’s social registry. Upon entering the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln center, we immediately noticed Jamee Gregory, Jean Shafiroff, CeCe Cord and Hilary Geary Ross, chatting and air kissing one another.
The space had been transformed into an uptown autumnal wonderland, the floor covered in foliage both authentic and artificial, with faux trees climbing around lighting fixtures. Finding our seat, we watched the room fill.
“Please uncross your legs!” an authoritative voice yelled as the lights dimmed. The audience giggled, dutifully sitting knock kneed for the duration of the show. We saw several legs twitch in the coming minutes subconsciously attempting to re-cross. How hard to unlearn etiquette drilled into the youthful mind at cotillion!
As French electro-chic music pulsed, we watched as look after winning look was trotted across the golden leaves. Houndstooth, cable knits, thick jersey and suedes prevailed throughout the collection, appropriately called “Gentry.”
After the show, we caught up with Sharon Bush who is a longstanding supporter of Douglas Hannant. “It’s all very sexy and very elegant and stylish, very classic. He has such a following, as you can see,” she said gesturing around the room to her contemporaries.
Ms. Bush gladly proclaimed that styles are looking up this season. “Some of the styles in the past have really worried me,” she said, her furrowed brow showing concern. “But everything is looking more wearable,” she concluded happily.
But Fashion Week isn’t all fun and games. The most trying aspect of the tents? “Watching all these beautiful tall models. In my net life I’d like to be at least a foot taller,” she moaned.
