F: Is for Fashion off the Richter Scale

During Fashion Week a renegade fashion show happens, hosted by designer Andres Aquino. Welcome, Couture Fashion Week, held at the Waldorf Astoria. I have attended a variety of these shows for the past 3 years and they are a breath of fresh air from the tents. Though not always professional they can be a lot of fun. Mostly over the top, you come away with a couple of designers that are a find. The production values are also a hit or miss crap shoot but again you can come away with seeing something fresh and exciting. This year was no different. I started with Soucha Couture from Egypt. This show was highly entertaining as it seemed that Soucha was designing for brothels and their inhabitants. From the lowest of hookers to the courtesan being presented to a king, Soucha showed every kind of garment this girl would wear. Some of the garments, leaving nothing to the imagination with clothes so sheer, the models were basically naked. Next up Dany Atrache from Lebanon presented a feminine, sophisticated palate for a women with taste. Bright colors blended with beaded creme bodices made this a designer to watch. The next day Andres presented his designs. Though I liked pieces of this collection, it was in-cohesive. There were too many themes. I did like the African pieces and the red dress where he used a necklace as a back ornament. That was sheer genius. Vocce Couture, just made me cringe, while Jorge Diep Couture a native of the Dominican Republic, had me in awe. He took the ideas of Soucha Couture but made it wearable. Sheer netting was beaded, all done in all the right places. The effect was a body ornamented to perfection. Just the right amount of flash without being trash. It was a seductive play on is she or isn't she and it was compelling. Last up was the most wearable and I wanted the whole collection. Linda Ellis from Australia captured my heart. Caftans, Kimonos and Tunics were paired with pencil thin pants with wide belts. The fabrics were all hand tie dyed and inspired by the West Australian land, sea and skyscapes. They were breathtaking and that is a F.A.C.T.