Alexander Berardi Spring 2011 – New York Fashion Week Review

Increasingly, season after season, New York Fashion Week has featured a number of 20-something wunderkinds who have rapidly blown up the fashion scene.  Alexander Wang has come a long way from early plugs by his friends Vanessa and Victoria Traina in Teen Vogue, diversifying his designs from basic knits to must-have women’s pieces and collaborations with Japanese denim powerhouse Uniqlo.  “Project Runway” winner Christian Siriano continues to build on his seemingly limitless talent, extending his brand to maternity wear and shoes for Payless.

Could, then, the 24-year-old New York native Alexander Berardi be next?  Armed with a Parsons degree, a stockist list that includes Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong and Ships in Tokyo, and none other than Grace Jones in his front row, it’s very possible.  Berardi, who made his Fashion Week debut last year, drew from the Hamptons, Jean-Luc Godard and Jean Seberg in his Spring 2011 women’s collection.  Simultaneously light and cheeky, the looks included delightful details such as open knee slits in a jumpsuit, a zipper encircling the waist of a raincoat and a layer of gold sequins poking out from the hem of another.  Mixing it up with floral prints, stripes and finely-threaded stiching, the collection culminated in a sparkling floor-length, gold evening gown with a cowl neck halter top that dared to straddle the line between dinner party and soiree.

all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine