Although Vera Wang was once a competitive figure skater, her sensibility on the runway tends to be artful and architectural, with designs more suited to a museum than a sports arena.
But lately she has been loosening up her look with a return to her athletic roots. Her spring 2014 collection has a sporty vibe, and she uses innovative techno fabrics while retaining the ethereal feeling for which she is known. Wang also has created new uniforms for the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders that show considerably more skin.
One silk organza circular seam dress featured a swoosh of blue gauze — could Wang have been thinking of the Nike logo for inspiration?
Her spring 2014 collection, shown in New York before a celebrity crowd that included Giuliana Rancic and John Legend, started out with 10 all-black looks that appeared indistinguishable until you examined them closer. Zip-up baseball jackets combined stretch knit and mesh fabrics with silk faile, while second-skin dresses incorporated mesh and lace collage panels.
The collection got considerably more colorful midway through, with floaty dresses in bright red, yellow and blue combining chiffon and organza with mesh inlays and circular seams. Halter top and racer back designs exposed the arms, shoulder and back to accentuate a muscular body. One silk organza circular seam dress featured a swoosh of blue gauze — could Wang have been thinking of the Nike logo for inspiration?
Her designs for the Philadephia Eagles cheerleaders, which were unveiled earlier this month at the team's home opener, are considerably more revealing. The new two-piece skin-baring uniforms reflect the team colors of midnight green, white and black in contrasting panels. Wang also designed the black sparkle sneakers.
"We feel the uniforms are ideal for the cutting-edge image of the cheerleaders – chic while displaying athleticism," Christina Weiss Lurie, president of Eagles Youth Partnership and Eagles Social Responsibility, said in a statement.
Wang is friends with Lurie and her ex-husband, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie.
The uniforms — updated versions of the ones Wang designed for the team back in 2003 — also include high-neck, long-sleeved shrugs and short, low-rise skirts for when the weather is cooler. But we're not sure exactly what the cheerleaders are going to do when it turns really cold because there is no Vera Wang-designed parka.
Designer Vera Wang at her New York runway show.
