Leslie Jones nearly missed the Christian Siriano runway show at New York Fashion Week. We're so glad she didn't.
The breakout Saturday Night Live star, who arrived only minutes before Siriano was set to unveil his spring/summer 2018 collection when she missed a car that was sent to pick her up to take her to the venue, kept a running commentary on the front row as she exclaimed loudly that she really, really liked the designer's work. The two bonded last year after Jones called out designers for not wanting to dress her for the premiere of Ghostbusters, and Siriano quickly came to her defense, creating an attention-getting off-the-shoulder red gown for her.
Her no-holds-barred enthusiasm was infectious, turning a normally staid event into a raucous fashion week happening that had the models twirling on the runway and the crowd joining in the fun, with enthusiastic applause.
"I loved everything that came out there. How can you pick one?," Jones said after the show. "But I've got to go to the gym first."
There was a lot for Jones and other fans of the designer to like as Siriano sent out a whopping 63 looks. But the show didn't drag as the collection was divided into sections, with styles ranging from trousers, blouses, and puff sleeve blazers in a blue and electric floral brocade pattern to showstopping evening gowns in architectural shapes and bold shades of yellow, magenta and emerald.
He also showcased iridescent floral gowns that shimmered under the runway lights, twist-front blouses in shades of sunflower or kelly green, denim bell trousers, and a black power suit with exaggerated proportions.
"It's my psychedelic greenhouse," Siriano said backstage before the show. "It really came from a dream where I want to see plants and flowers come to life. It was a jumping off point. And then I realized the whole idea here is we all want to grow in the same greenhouse. I really want to celebrate being here today with this 13 minutes that we all sit in to watch the show where you are transformed to a different world.
"It's very colorful, very playing, lot of textures and prints. And it's celebrating everyone. We have all shapes, sizes, trans — everything in the show. I want the world to see how beautiful everyone can be."
Siriano, who was among the first major designers to feature plus-size models on the runway, showcased dozens of women with curves on the runway, and also featured other nontraditional models. Male model Austin Kairis showcased the collection's second look — a puff-sleeved blazer and cropped trouser — while trans model Avie Acosta appeared later in a sheer black gown with a thigh-high slit.
"I think it's not enough just to be a good designer anymore. We need to leave something afterward," Siriano said. "Young girls, older women, everyone buys my clothes, so I think it's important to make sure they all can buy the clothes, or shop, or feel good in them.
"I think that started a long time when I started inviting customers to my show. They are more important than anything because at the end of the day, that's what it is. They want to see other people beside a model that's perfect wearing it. But what is perfect? So it's about celebrating beauty, that's the point. And I think everyone is beautiful in their own weird way."
The collection will be available in Houston at Elizabeth Anthony.
Christian Siriano sunflower off-the-shoulder cross bodice dress.
