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  • 15 years ago
Designer Gilles Mendel crafted geometric silhouettes for his Spring 2012 collection.
The line, known as J. Mendel, was shown at New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
38 looks made their way down the runway, each designed with mid-twenties interior designer Dorothy Draper in mind.
(SOUNDBITE) Gilles Mendel, fashion designer, J. Mendel, saying (English).
"Well, I think, inspired by Dorothy Draper, there's a lot of architectural moments and I think at the beginning, I sort of played with color blocking, which is very new to me and I feel it's a very strong part of the collection. But it's a little bit different what I used to do, but still, my DNA's there. It's very ethereal. Lot of skin showing."
Mendel seduced his audience with high-slit skirts and his signature pleating and draping.
Rock and roll chic was thrown into the mix with a black goat fur bolero trimmed with purple fox.
The star studded front row included actors and entrepreneurs Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Backstage Mendel was greeted by two more of his famous fans - American actress Selma Blair and Australian actress Melissa George.
George said the designer is a red carpet favorite.
(SOUNDBITE) Melissa George, actress, saying (English):
"I always wear Mendel. He just made my premiere dress. When I went to the Met ball last year, he made that gorgeous mustard gown for me, so he's one of the designers that I go to. He just knows exactly how to fit a woman's body. It's fascinating, just with the pleats and the drapes and the, it's gorgeous."
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will wrap on September 15.
Kilmeny Duchardt, Reuters.

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