New York Fashion Week Spring 2007: Costello Tagliapietra

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One could not help but register the irony as Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra came out from backstage, donning flannel shirts and suspenders to wave to an audience whom they’d just captivated with their ability to delicately drape dresses into softly billowing perfection. They may look like lumberjacks, with hands fit for the use of chainsaws and axes, but they’ve proven that their hands are equally equipped with fine jersey and silk.

Costello and Tagliapietra walked the delicate balance between youth and maturity with the Spring 2007 collection. One could imagine a socialite mother/daughter team wearing their creations side by side: the daughter would look elegant in the grape empire v-neck dress with Swarovski crystal embroidery, while her mother would opt for the same style—empire—but in a white gold that covered the neckline and gave more frame to the shoulders.

The color palette of griege, petal pinlk, white gold, grape and orchid all well suited for a roof deck cocktail party on a long summer’s eve—evening appropriate, but also fantastic-looking as the sunlight wanes at 10PM. While last season was “fundamentally boxy,” this season the dresses fell along the body with grace.

Other standouts were the form-fitting strapless dresses with pleated draped or wrapped bodices, and the use of red ochre and golden embroidery for a Romanesque look. With Anna Wintour making a special Sunday afternoon appearance (Nina Garcia of Elle attended last season, but Anna is truly the queen bee) at this off-site show, Costello Tagliapietra is sure to be carving their niche in the mainstream fashion world.

ALI MANNING

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