So One Day I Met Christian Siriano...

Despite up to 50mph winds and heavy rainfall in San Francisco today, nothing was going to get in the way of me missing the opportunity to meet Christian Siriano at Saks. Since day one, he has been my favorite contestant (ever!) on Project Runway. His sheer talent and big personality is what made me know that he was going to go far. I've been following his work, and his recent Spring 2010 collection made me fall in love even more--if that's even possible!

Walking over to the event, I was so nervous that I honestly thought I was going to have a heart attack. I mean the wind was blowing in different directions, so naturally I looked horrific. What if he called me a hot mess? Or worse, just a mess? By the way, a hot mess is a mess with potential, whereas a mess is someone who is completely hopeless and unsalvageable. He defines this in his book! As I arrived on the second floor, I saw him in an all black ensemble (a skeleton tee, and awesome black patent leather shoes) taking pictures with fans. I got into line and was thinking "What do I say? Oh God, is my makeup smeared? ah! I can't believe I'm seeing such a great designer-in the flesh!" In just a few minutes, it was my turn to approach him. I greeted him with a simple "hello" and gushed "I'm such a fan!" (so teenybopper of me, I know).

He was very kind and gracious, asked me my name and signed my book and a picture of my favorite dress from his Spring 2010 collection. I was a little frightened that he may have said "this picture is copyrighted!" and refuse to sign it, but he did. I also needed a picture with him, of course. For those that know me, I only pose on a specific side because my face is slimmer, and frankly, it's my good side (know your angles!). I nervously asked "Can we switch sides? This is my good side!" Yes, I really said that to a person I didn't know, and yes, I was wholly embarrassed afterwards. But hey! If you read Fierce Style, Siriano asks to embrace your fierceness--and I had to look fabulous in the picture too! Side note: his boyfriend Brad Walsh was there too. I contemplated saying 'hi,' but I figured I had embarrassed myself enough!

My minute of bliss was over and he thanked me for coming out, despite the bad weather. And in a sheer "ohmygod I just met someone that I really admire" moment, I responded "Anything for you!" As I went down the escalator, I told myself, "Real smooth. Now he probably thinks you're a creeper!" Nevertheless, I am so glad that I was able to make it out and meet someone who I really admire in the fashion world. Here are some pics below!

He totally worked the cover!


The inside of the book. I think it reads "Victoria-Fierce Love"


This is going to be framed, alongside the picture that I took with Christian, and is going on my fashion wall of pictures

New York Fashion Week: Christian Siriano Spring 2010

• Colors: beige, nude, tan, splashes of blue.
  
• Technique: Beautiful draping, ruching, pleating shown especially on the evening wear. The detailing was impeccable
  
• Highlight: The evening wear was exquisite and I can see these having definite red carpet moments. The first 3 images shown below were my favorite gowns from the show
  
• Unlike his past collections, this collection is very wearable and consumer friendly. Kinda obsessing over the ocean-esque blues throughout and the sky high shoes (available soon at Payless!)
  

Payless Shoes on the Runway!

If you got a chance to see the Lela Rose, Alice + Olivia, Abaete, or Christian Siriano shows, and you liked the shoes that the models were sporting, then you're in luck! You can buy them from not Barneys, not Neimans, not Saks...but Payless Shoes! Lela Rose, Alicie + Olivia, and Abaete have partnered with Payless Shoes in the past, but Christian Siriano is the newest designer to team up with Payless. Siriano unveiled his shoe styles and handbags at his runway show yesterday and you can expect his collection to hit stores in September. Remember, Siriano's collection was very Egyptian, so expect his shoes and handbags to reflect that inspiration. According to redorbit.com,

"Each of the five shoe styles -- with creative names like Slither, Saunter, SheDevil, Sand Strap and Strut -- feature Christian's unique chunky conical heel designed to look like an inverted pyramid. Handbags -- the Shanbag tote and Sassafras clutch -- coordinate with the footwear silhouettes: two ankle booties and three hidden platform pumps, with accents of pyramid studs and draped chains. Rich materials such as shiny dark brown snakeskin and Egyptian hieroglyphic teal fabric also echo Christian's Egyptian inspiration."

I really like the idea of retailers teaming up with designers to produce a chic, yet affordable line for consumers. Consumers can feel like they're owning a piece that is literally hot off the runway and for a fraction of the price! Below are pictures of some the styles that will hit stores in the fall. My favorite style are the Abaete ankle boots with the chains in the front, the black pumps with the bow, and the Lela Rose booties that tie in front in royal purple. To read the rest of the redorbit.com article, click here. To see the latest styles from these designers that will be featured at Payless stores, you can go to paylessontherunway.com.

Lela Rose





Abaete



Alice+Olivia

check the Payless website for more styles

Christian Siriano

check the Payless website for more styles

NY Fashion Week 2009: Christian Siriano

Project Runway winner Christian Siriano showed his collection today, and he sticks to what he knows best! His work included beautiful techniques such as ruching and pleating. If you all watched the finale of Project Runway season 4, you know that Siriano loves that skinny pant and billowly top silhouette, and he demonstrated that look again. His collection showcased a few blues, but was made predominantly of rich browns, gold, nudes and tans. When asked about the inspiration for his collection, Siriano replied:

"It's a bit inspired by Egypt, but more like the colors of the desert. It's really warm, it's really badass. Strong, like rock. It's hot. It's beautiful...It's not literal — like no Cleopatra."

Overall, his collection was pretty dramatic (and fierce!), especially this one shoulder strapped dress, that had a cascading effect (see first picture below). Even though I have seen that type of look from Christian Siriano before, I can't get enough of it because the detailing is so intricate and beautifully done! To view Christian Siriano's collection, click here.

What do you think? Love it? Hate it? or Undecided? Comment below!

PICTURES BY GETTY IMAGES