Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 9/6/07-Carlos Miele

Carlos Miele's Spring 2008 collection was inspired by the encounter in 1960 between Frank Sinatra and the Brazillian Musician, Tom Jobim (who immortalized songs like "the Girl from Ipanema"). The bossa nova, the sensual music that blends sunsual, Brazillian thythms and jazz, and it's surrounding social and artistc influence, was the true inspiration for this Spring 2008 collection . Just like the music, Miele's collection was sensual, full of movement, and featured Brasil's culture through lace, crochet and "fuxico" or, for an English term, "rosettes." They appeared in every shape and size. On the left, the goldenrod-olored gown literally looks like it is comprised of large, open flowers, drooping every so languidly as the model walks. The fxico appear on the gown on the right, as tiny little buds covering the top.

Miele also used exotic colors, inpsired by tropic fruits. Oddly out of place with the flowing clothes and tropical colors (and lots of champagne and gold) were fabrics featuring photographic prints inspired by the designer's travels. The clothes would appeal to a sophisticated women of any nationality. The black, tropical wool ankle pants worn with a champagne silk bubble blouse with embroideered neckline and metallic, peep-toe pumps, would work for almost every woman of any age.

Makeup was done by Romy Soleimani and the MAC Pro Team. The model's skin was slightly glowing and bronzed, with corall-y lips and not too much emphasis on the eyes. The hair by Rolando Beauchamp and the Bumble and Bumble team featured small, beachy" buns.

There were plenty of "for play" and "for day" looks, but the standouts were the red-carpet-type gowns with lots of appeal both coming and going. All in all, a pretty collection of very pretty clothes that would make any woman feel special.

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