Christian Siriano didn’t have to look far for his Pre-Fall inspiration. When he happened upon a vintage portrait of his mother, Joye, dressed in full 1970s mufti, Siriano was moved to explore the decade. It is among the most referenced time periods in fashion, which makes it all the harder for a collection based on its signatures to feel distinctive. Siriano avoided this pitfall by keeping things personal, i.e., he skipped the leisure suits and bell-bottoms and interpreted the idea of ’70s glamour his own way.
While you’ll find disco-appropriate wide lapels, denim separates, and androgynous suits that nodded to Bianca and Mick Jagger’s penchant for tuxedo dressing here, the majority of what was offered stayed true to Siriano’s ladylike aesthetic. As a season that spends months on the sales floor, Pre-Fall often aims to please the Siriano multitudes, and the designer headed in multiple directions in order to address key segments of his clientele. The result was a lineup of crowd-pleasers; it’s hard to argue with a little black jumpsuit covered in sequins or streamlined sheaths in shades of vibrant cobalt blue. Indulging in a few moments of drama—awards season is right around the corner, after all—several red carpet looks made an appearance as well. With full-skirted silver gowns and dainty tea-length pieces adorned with shimmering bows destined to make their way onto his celebrity roster, Siriano has a busy few months ahead of him, but the real fun may be on the horizon.
As his brand heads into its 10th year next fall, the designer plans an anniversary collection with oomph. As pretty as his Pre-Fall skewed, its subdued color palette and pared-down vibe seemed slightly out of step with his reputation for unabashed vibrancy. Even with plenty of elegant looks to choose from, things could have benefited from a little added zest.
