BCBG Max Azria- Belts, Backs, Shoulder, and Legs

*I've been informed that there was a typo in this report on Max Azria's show yesterday. I am posting reports all week as I quickly can manage, but mostly late at night, after the tents have closed and the shows are long over. If my copyediting has been less than scrupulous, I sincerely apologize any typos! Alison Blackman

When designer Max Azria appeared for his bow after his runway show this afternoon, he lifted the gloom of a rainy day, wearing a bright, orange sweater under his jacket.

But his collection for Fall 2008 was anything but bright, featuring very subdued hues of taupe, beige, grey, cream and soft teal, with just a few pieces (for evening) in red, bright gold, and brown. This collection was very modest by previous fashion week standards.

The most distinctive feature of this Fall, 2008 collection, is the way Azria belts literally everything, using a long, leather belt (mostly in common brown or black) with a plain, gold buckle. The new way of wearing belts "BCBG style" is to ty it like a sash, so the buckle hangs and sways as you walk.

Other important aspects of this collection emphasize simple styling dressed up with shimmery fabrics and lots of detailing, instead of beads or sequins, feathers or fur. And for evening, the focus is on bare backs, a bare shoulder, and/or lots and lots of leg to compensate for glitz and plunging necklines.

Ladies, you'd better start limbering up your legs if you want to wear BCBG this fall. Most of the dresses and skirts are thigh-high. Minis rules the runway, and they won't keep you warm, but they do look modern, glammed up with tucked-under hemlines and pouffy skirts. Flowing fabrics and some ruffles also glammed up evening dresses.

The makeup look for this show was similiarly simple, featuring dark, dramatic eyes rimmed with deep colors, but little blush or lipstick. And, as with Spring 2007's hair looks, messy buns are still with us, this time featuring more hair falling out of the back, somewhat like a tiny tail.