After presenting her Spring collection at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, Malandrino migrated downtown to a raw space in the meat-packing district next to the infamous Hogs & Heifers bar—an appropriate location for her Western-themed Fall collection, titled "Wanted."
The show certainly did not want for theatricality. The models made their exits with deeply smudged eyes and masses of tumbleweed hair in a variety of blouses that were shirred, tucked, embroidered, smocked and otherwise embellished. These were paired with equally elaborate trousers, the most notable of which was the signature Wanted pant: low-waisted, ruched, laced and so wide-bottomed at the foot that they swept the floor. The leather appliqué pants were strong, as were some of the coats.
Some of the looks presented (including the aforementioned pants) were from Malandrino's new limited-edition series, which she hopes customers will collect as if they were works of art. At times, though, the show was in need of less art and more reality. As much as the designer sought "the feeling of getting lost in a wild plain," there were moments when it seemed as if she had ended up on the set of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman instead.
