Summer 2018 is just ending, but the Christian Siriano woman is already dressed for a tropical getaway, which was the inspiration for the designer’s Spring-Summer 2019 collection. Sending chartreuse chiffons, palm and animal prints and flamingo-inspired feathered dresses down the runway on a body-positive array of models, Siriano’s 66-piece collection was an ode to Hawaii.
“Because last season was quite dark and romantic, this was a little bit lighter, a little bit fresher, kind of going on this idea of a Hawaiian holiday,” Siriano told the New York Times (as reported by Hawaii’s Star Advertiser). “I wanted to be a little more playful.”
But if Siriano’s inspiration was playful, his message was also political, as he silently stumped for New York gubernatorial candidate and Sex and the City alum Cynthia Nixon by placing “Cynthia for NY” fliers on seats throughout the venue and sending a model down the runway in a “Vote for Cynthia” t-shirt. Siriano wore a similar one to take his end-of-show walk.
Nixon, who was in the front row for the Saturday afternoon show at New York City’s Gotham Hall, was flattered by the shoutout, but kept the focus firmly on the clothes.
“That was an amazing tribute, but I was mostly just dazzled by the incredible creativity and the beauty and the variety of his designs,” she said, adding that in addition to being a prolific designer, “Christian is really someone who is very political. ... He doesn’t really separate the two.”
Joining Nixon in the front row were Orange Is the New Black’s Danielle Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg and Tiffany Haddish. Conspicuously absent was good friend and loyal client Cardi B, who opted to lay low after her Friday night dustup with Nicki Minaj at the Harper’s Bazaar “ICONS” party.
“I love Cardi and it’s so sad, whatever happened last night.” Siriano said, rightfully turning the subject back to his collection.