NY Runway Report

Diane von Furstenberg goes for gold at 40th anniversary show with St. Vincent

All that glitters really did turn out be gold in Diane von Furstenberg's fall 2014 collection, which salutes the 40th anniversary of her iconic wrap dress. At the end of the runway show, which she dubbed "Bohemian Wrapsody," von Furstenberg sent out 15 top-name models in gold versions of the dress that has earned her a lot of green.

Gold confetti rained down from the ceiling during the finale. And DVF even appeared to have gold highlights in her hair for the occasion.

"She's so cool and beautiful and hip," von Furstenberg said about St. Vincent.

Backstage after the show, the designer, who always likes to weave a story about her collection, explained that it is centered around the Balle Russes and a ballerina "who's a refugee and leaves when the revolution arises, with everything she owns on her.

"And then I realized because it is the 40th year of the wrap dress, the wrap dress was [inspired by] the little sweaters that the ballerinas wore. At the end, the gold things are supposed to be ballerina wraps."

Indeed, von Furstenberg featured a number of ballerina sweaters in shades of red and garnet paired with print skirts featuring hearts, roses, the moon or stars, along with an updated version of her original black-and-gold print wrap dress, which model Karen Elson wore. The designer also ventured into other shapes, with wildly patterned voluminous cocoon coats, loose-fitting sweater dresses, and black and gold chiffon gowns with plunging necklines.

For the first time, DVF featured live music at her runway show. Through a partnership with American Express, Dallas' own St. Vincent performed during the show and for select cardmembers at a mini-concert afterward, which was co-hosted by Cat Deeley of So You Think You Can Dance? and model Coco Rocha.

"She's so cool and beautiful and hip," von Furstenberg said about St. Vincent. "Yes, it's fun [to try something new]."

At the post-show concert, dubbed American Express Unstaged, von Furstenberg was surprised with a gold cake to celebrate the anniversary of the wrap dress. When asked how she felt about the anniversary, the 67-year-old quipped, "I wish I was 40."

St. Vincent performed during the Diane von Furstenberg show at New York Fashion Week.

Diane von Furstenberg with St. Vincent February 2014

Photo by Bryan Bedder Getty Images for American Express

St. Vincent performed during the Diane von Furstenberg show at New York Fashion Week.

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Fashion on display

Rare Halston fashion exhibition now on display in unlikely Texas city

Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen Noël Art Museum

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

A rare exhibition honoring fashion pioneer Halston has popped up in an unexpected place: West Texas. Dallas fashionistas who are fans of the designer can make a five-hour pilgrimage to Odessa’s newly revamped Ellen Noël Art Museum to view "Halston: Inventing American Fashion."

Halston’s minimalistic fashions are rarely the subjects of retrospectives, although the designer’s dramatic life story recently had a pop-cultural resurgence through a 2021 Ryan Murphy miniseries. "Halston: Inventing American Fashion" assesses the talent that made him a household name.

Known now for outfitting 1970s icons like Liza Minelli and Bianca Jagger, Halston changed the international reputation of American sportswear as part of the famous 1973 “Battle of Versailles” fashion show, holding his own against Paris’ most lauded couturiers. His uniquely louche style still influences contemporary brands like Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Tom Ford, who was briefly the creative director for a revised Halston label.

The mannequins in the Odessa display are outfitted with 75 ensembles from flowing Ultrasuede daywear to more dramatic draped gowns. The pieces “illustrate how Halston revolutionized fashion by prioritizing comfort, confidence, and modern femininity,” according to a release.

Although Odessa may seem an odd choice for the show, Halston had deep Texas connections. After he moved on from hat making, Amarillo millionaire Estelle Marsh was his sole backer willing to fund his first Madison Avenue boutique.

$Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum, Odessa, new facade.$ The new facade at Ellen Noël Art MuseumPhoto courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

$Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum$

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

And the recently completed renovation of Odessa's Ellen Noël Art Museum has some of the designer’s signature sleek. Designed by architect R.J. Lopez, the renovation includes new galleries and improved circulation, but the centerpiece is a striking transparent façade, replacing the original brick of the 1985 building.

“The renovation project has been over 10 years in the making and in the construction phase for the past two years,” says the museum’s buildings manager, Steve Patton, via a release. “The completion of the project has resulted in an incredible facility that is a shining star in West Texas, offering programs and exhibits that will be a destination point for people all over the world!”

"Halston: Inventing American Fashion" will run through March 22. Admission to the Ellen Noël Art Museum is free.

exhibits odessa fashion west texas museums designer texas