Dennis Basso Spring 2009 Runeway Show -Glitzy Glam

I wasn't that familiar with Designer Dennis Basso, so I delighted with the range and versatility of his lovely collection. Apparently, celebrities such as, Ivana Trump, and fashionistas Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley, were already in the know. Basso's Springtime 2009 collection was inspired by America's tony resorts and summer retreats, such as Nantucket, South Hampton, and Newport--presumably the audience from which his clients, come.

The collection included a emphasis on day dresses that demurely grazed the knee, and included form fitting waists and belts....definitely Grace Kelly more than Grace Slick!

Cocktail attire was also fairly demure, but appropriate for those charity dinners and country club lunches. The array of pleasing, knee-length frocks inclueed chiffon hems that swayed as if in a soft breeze, and flirty necklines (including some sheer fabrics).

The long, evening gowns offered styles from mild to body conscious "wow (well, sort of). These are not overtly sexy designs--a touch of bright print, an exposed shoulder, perhaps. The clients who love Basso are attention-getting enough without being boldly sensual. You can just imagine one of these rich, powerful and influential women drinking champagne and enjoying the good life in long dresses, not all meant for the red carpet, but perhaps, just for a formal dinner at home.

Many designers, including Venexiana, love fur and have lots of it in their collections. However, to get into this show we had our bags and purses searched by security...no doubt because they didn't want another outburst of PETA protesters storming onto the runway, as at the DKNY runway show that past Sunday. We did see a crowd of protesters outside the tents, but thankfully, none made it past security this time.

I wasn't backstage to see the hair, nails and makeup for this show, but the smooth, tight bun was created by Frederick Fekkai, and the fresh-faced, smouldery eye look for the makeup was by Cynde Watson.

*all photos on this post courtesy of Mercedes Benz