Let’s hear it for Peter Nygard
A Peter Nygard visit is never understated.
It’s special, over the top, exciting. And so it was when he came to Oklahoma to visit Dillard’s stores and for two fashion shows at the Penn Square Mall store on Saturday.
A large group of mostly Dillard’s employees chanted his name and waved Nygard pennants as he and his entourage walked the red carpet to the store entrance, where he talked about Dillard’s and his customers – the women who wear sizes 12 and 14.
“We make products for the real woman … That’s the woman we love,” said Nygard, dressed in a black velvet sport coat, yellow shirt, jeans and cowboy boots.
In celebration of the state’s centenial, the fashion showed opened with the song “Oklahoma.” On the runway were soft-as-butter leathers, wide-leg pants, A-line skirts and crop jackets with delicate embridery, weekend wear and holiday pieces with touches of metallic.
One segment featured nine Oklahoma breast cancer survivors as models. They walked the runway and gave each other high fives to the music of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” Nygard is a tireless supporter for breast cancer research and education.
After the show he posed for photographs with all the models, then met his customers, signed autographs and smiled for pictures.
One customer and fan is Debbie Swanson of Edmond. She bought a black leather jacket and Nygard autographed the lining.
“He has great clothes, great prices,” she said.
Malan Breton of Project Runway fame
DALLAS – Anyone remember Malan Breton from “Project Runway”?
He’s the one with the black hair and the accent from the third season. He didn’t sew up the fashion competition, but he is showing his spring 2008 collection at Fashion Center Dallas at the World Trade Center.
More on that subject later, but here’ s a little teaser: He has a thing for backs. Many of his dresses dip dangerously low in the back.
“I was a dancer for so many years,” he said. “The cleavage thing is so overdone.”
Look for more on Malan in my column in an upcoming Sunday Living section.
Checking out spring at Dallas market
DALLAS — OK, I’ve only been at the World Trade Center, home of the Dallas Fashion Center where buyers from across the country come to fill their retail clothing stores, for a couple of hours, but here’s one quick trend for spring.
YELLOW. I mean in-your-face, screaming yellow. Even better if it’s a yellow trench coat. Come March, you’ll be swimming in a sea of yellow and other hot brights such as turquoise, orange and apple green.
Gregor Simmons of Gregor Simmons Ltd. Buying Office said all this color teams with white, which is good. That way we don’t look like a walking Popsicle.
Love to take pictures? Here’s your chance
The folks at Nygard International need your help.
Designer Peter Nygard is coming to Oklahoma Oct. 25-27, and the company is looking for “volunteer” photographers to take pictures of his visits to Dillard’s stores in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Norman and Lawton.
He’ll be traveling with two professional photographers, but they often get pulled away for posed pictures and don’t get the impromptu shots that are more fun and interesting. This would be a good opportunity for anyone looking to build a photo portfolio, someone interested in fashion photography or photography students.
If you’re interested, give me a call at (405) 475-3235 and I’ll pass your information along to Nygard’s team.
She’s got legs
Legs are going under cover, and they’ve never looked more stylish.
Covered legs were all over the runways during the fall fashion shows earlier this year.
Finally, a trend that makes sense. Who wants bare legs when it’s 40 degrees outside?
This season’s legwear lineup includes shimmer, texture, over-the-knee socks, sweater knits, plaids, stripes and dots. Neutrals such as black, brown, olive and gray step forward, as well as bold hues of electric blue, apple red, magenta and ruby.
Legwear joined the accessories hoopla a few years ago. Can’t afford the new “it” bag? Express yourself in a pair of tights. The ones pictured here were on the Tracy Reese runway. If you don’t want to draw that much attention to your legs, imagine stripe tights peeking out from the hem of your pants.
Style aside, there’s also the function aspect. Tights tend to be comfortable and warmer than sheer hosiery. They also complement this fall’s pencil skirts, wide-leg pants and dresses. Perhaps even more important, they can be worn by women of all ages and sizes.
Legwear is also easy on the pocketbook. Grab a pair of tights for less than $20 at department stores or for about $5 to $10 at off-price and mass merchandise chains.
Taryn Rose trunk show
Need a new pair of shoes or a handbag?
Wait a minute. Need has nothing to do with shopping. If you want a new pair of shoes or a handbag, head to Dillard’s in Penn Square Mall for a Taryn Rose trunk show. A company representative will be there from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
Happy shopping.
