Fashion Week spring 2010: Max Azria

Posted by lmiller

on September 16, 2009M at 9:05 am

Max Azria for spring 2010 on th runway in New York. AP PHOTO

NEW YORK (AP) — There weren’t a lot of bells and whistles in the spring Max Azria collection that debuted Tuesday at New York Fashion Week. It was mostly pared-down, pretty dresses in simple and chic shades of black, gray, white and nude.

A hint of rebel edge came from metal-chain “cage” dresses worn over silk sweater dresses. They sound more severe than they really were; they really just added shimmer and a little sex appeal.

Slashes in sleeves, bodices and backs also flashed a little skin — and continued a trend seen on many other runways at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park.

“Max Azria slashes away layers to reveal the understated beauty of clean lines and sleek sophistication,” designers (and husband and wife) Max and Lubov Azria said in their notes.

They also said that the overall look was “deliberately deconstructed” and “sensually sparse.”

Subtle beading sat on the straps and decollete of a delicate light gray cocktail dress, and the finale dress, black with randomly placed light-catching beads looked like a starry night. It made for a memorable exit for the Azrias who have now shown the last of their collections.