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

Last season I began my post for BCBG Max Azria as: "BCBG Max Azria- Belts, Backs, Shoulder, and Legs."

This year, I think the same details describe the look best--but unlike the tailored and waist-belted clothing for Fall 2008, the Spring 2009 collection is loose and draped, and flowing, and feminine.

Founded in 1989, BCBGMaxAzria is the vision of one person--the chief "cook & bottle washer" Designer, Chairman, and Chief Executive Office, Max Azria. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Lucy Liu all love BCBGMaxAzria clothes. The thing that makes this designer beloved by both celebrities and ordinary women with a taste for style is that the clothing looks sophisticated, but the designs are actually easy for a woman with a reasonably average figure, to wear. The designer is shown here taking his bow for an enthusiastic crowd.

Spring 2009 brought us 37 looks, mostly for daytime, with a dusty purple washed silk gown encircled with a large black and grey belt that reminded me a bit of over sized military issue--worn with grey satin pumps. The final look in the collection was a graceful, black micro-sheen sateen gown worn with black leather pumps. But there is something for literally, everyone, in this collection.

There was no absence of color in this Spring collection. Here, model Yulia is wearing a stunning, flirty, dark teal micro-sheen sateen dress with chunky grey leather platform sandals..... and while the designer showed subdued colors, he also added pops of color like fuchsia and orange........and a range of designs in an elegant dark purple..... but mauve, dove grey, and beige (the designer calls it "canvas") make the clothes easy to wear in an urban setting where "bright" never seems quite right.

One trend I am already seeing is the return of rompers and jumpsuits. This jumpsuit on model Abbey Lee is dove grey sateen, ringed with one of the black/grey "military style" belts. These were featured on a number of the clothes...along with a grey, platform sandal, also with a solid, somewhat militaristic feel as well -- perhaps in reference to our nation's political situation overseas? Jumpers are quick dressing for busy women, and they tend to flatter most body types. Rompers work well for the well toned and young (or very young at heart) and look flirty and cute for casual days.

Jumpsuits and rompers aside, the feel of this collection was light, flowing, feminine and very, very pretty.And there were plenty of drapey, short dresses to delight. If you like to show your legs, BCBG will not cover you from head to toe, unless unless you want to be. Although there weren't many of them, the gowns stood out as exceptional. Details included low backlines with gentle bunching, almost as if the lower part of the dress was gathered in a pouch. Several of the gowns also had an assemetrical one-sided "back sash" that extended from one shoulder to the low back of the dress on the opposite side--a sort of "Miss America" sash but worn backwards.

The hair and makeup were minmal and very natural--this may also be a trend we will be seeing in Spring 2009.

The makeup, created by Lisa Butler for NARS cosmetics, featured a dewy complexion with seemingly no blush and a light nude lip, plus deep but not overly intense, eyes.

The hair was stick straight with no adornment, created by Laurent Philippon for Bumble & Bumble. I kept thinking that the models all were channellingGwyneth Paltrow's signature, "I don't overdo my hair and makeup", look.

Manicures were by my favorite Fashion Week Company: Creative Nail Design. Alas, I wasn't backstage so I can't provide any details on colors or products used...but I will try and get that information in the weeks to come.

*report filed by Alison Blackman Dunham, All photos by Alison Blackman Dunham for the Advice Sisters copyright © 2008 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark.