New York Fashion Week :: Joanna Mastroianni [The ZOO]

Joanna Mastroianni :: Fall 2006

The dramatic melancholy piano music turned Mastroianni into a spy movie melody when the beat kicked in. Boldly colored blunt bangs set the tone of the collection: dramatic femme fatale with Empress of China high necks and tall Russian Ostrich feather hats, the inspiration of this collection was unmistakably Mongolian. (I wrote it first, then checked my program to see I was right on the money... or was she?)

Mink fur and fox fur emboldened cuffs and collars. Red metallic fabrics reflected light and added dimension to the wraparound parachuting dresses. Airy structural dresses billowed around the shoulders and hips. One black scoopback dress brought go-go to the Great Wall of gowns and satin pants. Gold and black leaf prints evoked rainforest butterflies in the middle of a Russian winter. The Moulin Rouge-esque skirts, while structurally old-fashioned, were scandalously sheer. Joanna Mastroianni brought lingerie and couture to the evening gown.

INVENTED ACCENTS: Armor-like cap sleeve accesories with beads. COUTURE: The black ruffled lace pointed to Dior as an inspiration. HOW HIGH?: Hats were indicative of Russian culture, audacity, and cold weather forecasts. [Xenia Viray] more...