NY Fashion Week 2010: Tracy Reese

Inside New York Fashion Week

 

 

 

Tracy Reese: Edgy, Urban Femininity

 

Written By: Eboyne Jackson

 

Being inside the tents alone was like being inside a glamorous zoo, but being seated inside Tracy Reese’s Fall 2010 show in  “The Salon” was like being inside a glorious caravan. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw the “It girls” sitting pretty front row—Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, Kristen Bell, Julia Stiles and Adrienne Bailon all looking as fabulous as ever, on deck.

The lights dimmed. The crowd grew hushed.

Then a ray of light re-submerged in a labyrinth of color. 70’s funk music pulsated from the loud speakers, and as the first model prowled down the catwalk; lavished in a black fur trench coat layered in faux-fur accents, it became most apparent that the celebs weren’t the only ones lighting up the room.

It seemed as if Reese’s fall collection mirrored the starry night sky,  introducing us to a world where b-girls turned lady like and sophisticatedly chic. The models sashayed the catwalk in layered stirrup pants and over sized cardigans. Each rocking an unruly curly ’do, along with Reese’s signature arm warmers, (which I predict will be a huge trend this fall!)

 

 

The captivating pieces were the cosmetic hued cocktail dresses adorned with chunky scarves. Splashy prints like leopard also debuted in an unexpected shade of blue. The striking touches in the cohesive collection were the textured crystal embroidery, sparkly runched tops, and body-hugging lace-suede dresses adorned with ribbon necklaces.

At the close of the show, Reese came out and did her subtle hand wave, and flashed her mega watt smile, which only caused the crowd to erupt in a steady stream of applause, and yes, I was at the top of the helm, screaming and hollering like a loose truck driver, as I did last year.

It was most evident through out the entire show that Tracy Reese stayed true to her forever praised mantra, “real clothes for real women,” as all of the pieces reflected a sense of timelessness and edge without forsaking sensibility and practicality. Tracy Reese proved once again that she is the leader of realistic high fashion.

 

 

 

After Tracy Reese’s electrifying show, I headed backstage, and I prayed that I would have the opportunity to meet the iconic Tracy Reese. As a child I had always loved and admired her work, so (yes, I admit it, the thought of possibly running into her would make me completely star struck!)

And star struck I was.

My magnanimous moment presented itself almost as quickly as I thought it as I saw Tracy Reese walk down the backstage ramp way ever so slowly, accompanied with a bouquet of roses.

 

I introduced myself along with my affiliation and right away, I found that Reese was as humble and gracious as I only imagined she would be. She flashed me a warm smile and gladly shared the inspiration behind her timeless collection. “I was inspired by subtle color, things that were very flattering, lots of dimension, lots of great texture, and a little bit of sparkle.”

I then expressed to Reese that what I admired the most about her pieces was the spiritual life her garments seemed to evoke. She gave me a warm side hug and looked me in the eye and said, “Exactly. It’s for us. I make real clothes for real women and I would never design something that I wouldn’t wear myself.”

Reese’s responses lead me to believe that her success without question comes from above. It was her work and sense of style that I have come to cherish, but after that encounter, it was her uncompromising integrity that I truly admired.