Mature Looks from Christian Siriano, and a Return to 'Fierce' Black

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• Photo credit: Cynthia Drescher
• Photo credit: Cynthia Drescher
• NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: A model walks the runway at the Christian Siriano Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at 972 Fifth Avenue on February 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG)
  
  
• NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: A model walks the runway at the Christian Siriano Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at 972 Fifth Avenue on February 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG)
  
  
• NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: A model walks the runway at the Christian Siriano Fall 2011 fashion show during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011 Official Coverage at Lincoln Center on February 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Get
• Photo credit: Cynthia Drescher
• Photo credit: Cynthia Drescher
• NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: A model walks the runway at the Christian Siriano Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at 972 Fifth Avenue on February 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG)
  
  
• NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: A model walks the runway at the Christian Siriano Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at 972 Fifth Avenue on February 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG)
  
  
• NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: A model walks the runway at the Christian Siriano Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at 972 Fifth Avenue on February 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG)
  
  
• NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: A model walks the runway at the Christian Siriano Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at 972 Fifth Avenue on February 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG)
  
  
• NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: A model walks the runway at the Christian Siriano Fall 2011 fashion show during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011 Official Coverage at Lincoln Center on February 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Get
• NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: Model Alexa Chung (C) attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011 Official Coverage at Lincoln Center on February 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for IMG)
  
  Photo credit: Getty Ima

To look at the collection, you'd never guess that Christian Siriano got his big break into fashion on a reality show. His front row yesterday evening, when his models strutted (and occasionally wobbled) down the catwalk, included Alexa Chung, Mena Suvari, Gabrielle Union,and Mary Alice Stephenson. All attention was on the designs, however, because it quite apparent now that little squeaky Christian has matured into a designer who produces wearable, luxe looks, all the while maintaining his signature "fierce" edge.

Black, black and black were the predominant colors, the "New York Uniform" rendered in cashmere jackets, leather and organza skirts, plus a backless boucle trumpet gown with a truly awesome silhouette. Eventually, color crept in...working its way from charcoal turtlenecks into moss silk crepe trousers and culminating with diaphanous mauve gowns.

It's rough to pick a favorite look in any show, but there was just something about Look 16 (see it in photo 5 in the gallery above), and the way the volume and liquidity of the tulip skirt contrasted yet complimented the tight knit turtleneck top. Maybe it's just that we're in love with black, and Siriano's dream of orchids at midnight.

The finale look was a shocker from Christian, who notoriously adores his epic, fantastical gowns. Instead we saw a minimal top?a short-sleeved chiffon blouse?weighted with an enormous, gathered ruffled silk organza skirt in mauve. You couldn't very well sit down in it, but anywhere a girl wears a skirt like that she hopefully would be waltzing.
· All Fashion Week coverage [Racked National]
· You Will Never Get to Wear These 'Fierce' Christian Siriano Shoes [Racked National]
· Christian Siriano Shows What He's Made Of: Tulle and Stuff [Racked National]
· Liveblogging the Shows: Christian Siriano [Racked NY]