Designer VICTOR GLEMAUD had the right idea. He didn’t go for the boring runway shenanigans but opted for a more intimate showing off his women’s wear collection. Titled: R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Victor orchestrated a presentation of about 20 pieces, shown on mannequins perched around the fabulous `Sunken Living Room’ – an exclusive space on the 7th floor of the Spring Studio venue, downtown Manhattan. First and foremost I personally LOVED this space, the guest was able to walk around, lounge with the mannequins, meet and chat with the designer and have a glass of champagne – no hassle, no long lines, no uncomfortable wooden planks posing as benches to sit on, no front row drama…no drama period.
Designer VICTOR GLEMAUD
COLOR AND STYLE
Victor brought us up close and personal with his beautiful knit cardigans, artful black and white dresses, easy brightly colored knit jersey dresses with frilled neck and hemlines and some dramatic party dresses with daring cut-outs. There were fitted gowns in jazzy zebra prints and a daring white `one-suit’ featuring a breezy open bustline. The showing billed as a `capsule’ collection also highlighted clothes for the `curvy’ girls. “Launching Curves represented my continued design philosophy that people of all genders, races and sizes should find excitement in FASHION,” said the designer.
HOMAGE
Strong, powerful women have significantly influenced Victor over the years, ranging from family members to 60s American soul Icons, including recently departed, the great Aretha Franklin, whose music played softly in the background. This, his second formalized presentation certainly pays homage to those powerful women by way of the versatile, signature sweaters, slinky gowns and gay tropical separates. Each of his mannequins donned elaborate wigs inspired by Detroit Hair Wars, as a celebration of African American women’s hairstyles.
CFDA/VOGUE AWARD FINALIST
Victor, a finalist in the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Awards started out as men’s wear designer, after attending FIT. He said there was no money to be made in menswear, so he moved into the women’s wear arena. He’s previously held positions as Design Assistant to Patrick Robinson and worked with fashion brands including; Marc Jacobs, Versace, and Helmut Lang. In 2005 he returned to design, teaming up with his mentor Patrick Robinson, who then became Artistic Director at Paco Rebanne. Victor was named as Women’s Wear Design Advisor at Rebanne, responsible for design concept development, global trend research, and overall brand and store imaging. He then went to Tommy Hilfiger where he worked as Style Director. Victor has dressed some high powered women including; Iman, Selena Gomez, and Ashley Graham.
AVAILABILITY
The collection is currently available at Nordstrom, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Shopbop, 11 Honore’, Felt and glemaud.com
