By Anne Bratskeir
Newsday
Though the inaugural frenzy has settled, rest assured that there isn’t a fashionista worth her Louboutins who doesn’t want to see what Jason Wu (the man who famously designed both of Michelle Obama’s inaugural ballgowns) has up his high-profile sleeve for fall. They’ll get their chance Friday, when Wu shows his collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which runs from Thursday through Feb. 14.
The always-fabulous Heart Truth extravaganza will warm up the well-heeled crowd Wednesday night, as stars (said to be among them, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, gymnast Gabby Douglas and Savannah Guthrie of “Today”) dressed in red dresses take to the runway to promote heart health for women.
The tents at Lincoln Center will feature some 80 designers, including newcomers Trina Turk, the saucy California-based brand, and red carpet regular and celeb fave KaufmanFranco. Carmen Marc Valvo, with a new eponymous shoe line to flaunt, returns to the tents after eight years showing at NASDAQ. Says Valvo, “Those long runways at the tents are a great way to see the front and the back of the shoes.”
The shows, as always, will be going on all over town. Kenneth Cole, who hasn’t shown since ‘06, will celebrate his 30th anniversary with a show in Chelsea. There’s buzz about Spanish design house Delpozo showing for the first time in the United States at Canoe Studios. And Tory Burch, who for several seasons has presented at Avery Fisher Hall, is holding her fall fete at the swanky Pierre Hotel.
The news is not all good, with Holmes & Yang (as in Katie) and Chris Benz opting out for the season. Peter Som has replaced his traditional runway romp with a digital fashion show.
Then there’s feisty Betsey Johnson, who can’t seem to make up her mind. First, she was taking the season off after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May but promised to have a presence at the tents for her new reality series, “The Betsey and Lulu Show.” But, last Monday, the exuberant designer said she was, indeed, having a show at Lincoln Center. Whether there will be clothes in it remains a question, but we feel confident we’ll see a signature cartwheel or two.
