You can't fault Stephen Burrows for doing things his own way. The man is, after all, a CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and he's been turning out bright, joyous party looks since most of his competitors were in diapers. With his latest effort, an intimate presentation at his Garment District showroom, Burrows once again proved he can do more than just cut a great jersey dress.
"I looked at Gustav Klimt and Tiffany lamps," the designer said of his mood for Fall. Some of the signature jersey dresses featured abstract prints evocative of his colorful inspirations, but it was a solid maroon gown at the end that garnered the loudest cheers. It's true that the jersey numbers, timeless as they are, didn't necessarily scream, "Now, now, now!"—but the daywear showed a vital connection with current trends. Among the silhouettes we've seen in play elsewhere this week were an ultrawide-leg wool trouser, paired with a chunky cable sweater and fur vest, and a great black biker jacket with exaggerated shoulders, worn with skinny leather motocross leggings.
If it was tough to trace the connection between all the pieces shown, the crowd of well-wishers shouting "Bravo!" after each exit obviously didn't mind. They came to a Burrows show to see Burrows clothes, not trend for trend's sake.
