NEW YORK, Sep 15, 2009 / FW/ — What do Lela Rose, Stacey Bendet and Christian Siriano have in common? All three unveiled their Payless Spring 2010 Designer Collections in true “high-low” fashion on the runway this season.
Known for democratizing fashion in footwear and accessories, Payless ShoeSource continues to collaborate with well-known fashion designers to create affordable high street fashion for everyone. And, this season, Lela Rose, Stacey Bendet and Christian Siriano designed unique shoes and handbags inspired by Venice Beach, French Rock Band the Plastiscines, and the Mediterranean.
“The nation’s premier fashion event is a phenomenal stage to showcase the talent and distinct design aesthetic of each of our Payless guest designers. The unique designs from each designer is truly amazing, and we are always excited to see it all come together when the Payless shoes are paired with the designer’s ready-to-wear (RTW) and hit the runway,” said LuAnn Via, CEO and president of Payless ShoeSource.
Unveiled at the Lela Rose runway show, the Spring ’10 Lela Rose RTW collection is inspired by old Venice Beach surf and scuba wear with its body-hugging shapes, details and seaming. The color palette of artist Alex Katz sets the tone.
With a nod to Lela’s RTW, the shoe collection — Rose’s 11th Lela Rose for Payless seasonal line — includes six styles featuring her signature use of fabric and mixed materials coupled with Katz-splashes of color including citrine, bright navy, sea grass and magenta. The unique silhouettes consist of sculpted wedge heels, criss-cross straps, and peep-toe mary jane details.
Previewed at a special presentation event, Stacey Bendet’s Spring ’10 RTW collection for alice + olivia is inspired by the Plastiscines, a French all-girl rock band. The band’s mix of indie rock and Parisian chic is evident in shoes, which evoke both a whimsical and sleek sensibility.
This is Bendet’s sixth line for Payless and includes such silhouettes as a platform pump, tall slouchy boot, gladiator-style flat sandal and platform heel. Details such the use of form-fitting “wet-suit” material, a “sandalized” upper design combined with a tall boot, and side-cut-out designs portray a strong interplay of structure and sexiness.
Fashion designer Christian Siriano, well-known also as the winner for Project Runway’s Season Four, showcased his Spring ’10 footwear and accessories collection with Payless on the runway. The line complements Siriano’s Spring ’10 RTW collection inspired by the notion of luxurious Mediterranean travel.
Rich colors like fuchsia, blue and orange are amped up to evoke the glorious coastal sunset taken in while yachting. Khakis, nudes and blushes are present, as well as a unique printed fabric used heavily in the collection. The fabric print was created using an aerial photograph of the intricate Italian coast line that has been flipped, modified, repeated and saturated with volcanic and oceanic colors.
The five shoe silhouettes and accompanying handbags — Siriano’s second line for Payless — mirror this inspiration and are truly dramatic works of art conveying strength and textural tribal themes with the use of mottled prints and hides combined with raw metal sequins and details.
[EDGARDO HERNANDEZ]
