NYFW Fall 2013

Badgley Mischka Channels a Dramatic Femme Fatale

By Susie Kostaras Feb 13, 2013, 8:40am EST

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Photo via @amberdmakeup/Instagram

Hollywood starlets flock to Mark Badgley and James Mischka for one major reason—glamorous gowns—and the designers' Fall 2013 collection delivered. Diverging from its history of precious detailing and frothy confections, Badgley Mischka showed a moodier woman with Art Deco undertones and distinctive femme fatale tendencies. The clothing was still feminine, tailored, and full of surprising accents like tassels, fringe, and big bows at the neck, with an alluring film noir essence.

The opening looks featured metallic fabrics, fur stoles, and crepe in a subdued color range of smoky granite, black, midnight blue, and crimson. Flowing dresses were capped off with structured tuxedo jackets—a bit of masculine edge to contrast with the models' back braid-anchored pompadour hairstyle. Then came the showstopping dresses, with plenty of white and intricate beading ruling the runway. Asymmetrically draped matte jersey numbers walked alongside shimmering red carpet-worthy gowns, one of which was an overt nod to the ever-present color of the year, emerald.