New York Fashion Week '05: Richard Tyler Lands Gracefully
Los Angeles designer Richard Tyler soared to new heights with his latest couture collection that floated down the runways at New York Fashion Week in Bryant Park.
Flying and fashion were linked on the catwalk. Tyler, who was commissioned by Delta Airlines to redesign the company’s uniforms, showed the new flight attendants’ outfits while introducing his Fall/Winter 2005 couture collection of elegant dresses and suits.
“The couture collection came out of the designs for the Delta uniforms. The uniforms, we felt, were really fashion-worthy, which is why we decided to showcase them on the runway,” said the Australian-born Tyler, who is a master tailor. “Then we asked, ’How are we going to show uniforms with couture?’ So what came out of the couture was from the uniforms.”
For his collection, Tyler conjured up the days of glamorous air travel: Greta Garbo leaving a plane, Mick and Bianca Jagger at Heathrow Airport and Ava Gardner traveling to Spain.
Luxurious fabrics, including chiffon silk jerseys and light-as-a-whisper organzas that seemed to float on air, heightened the couture collection’s element of sophistication. Silhouettes were close to the body, accenting narrow waists and curvy hips. Suits had a slightly higher-than-normal waistline to make the body look longer and leaner.
Muted shades of gray, blush and light orange defined the eveningwear. Daywear arrived in stronger tones of brown, rust and navy blue.
“I had more fun doing this collection,” Tyler said. “It just flowed.” —Deborah Belgum
