StyleWeek Providence: Kara Wickman & Maria Del Carmen Mercado
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
StyleWeek Providence’s second night of fashion was a global excursion with international influence and innovative, feminine design. The festivities unfolded at the Providence Biltmore, where Barrington native and Riverside-based designer Kara Wickman christened the evening with her debut collection, Oui, an anthology the designer describes as “the essence of the Parisian woman: a women who never forgoes chic even though life is on the go.” Wickman, a wife, mother and about 6 weeks out from adding another little one to the fashionable family, knows a thing or two about balancing daily demands in the midst of chasing a dream.
Designer Maria Del Carmen Mercado (who GoLocalProv.com profiled last week), also made her StyleWeek debut, showcasing Season’s Bliss, a collection she told us she hoped would introduce her Dominican Republic heritage and “bring people together.” A marriage of art and photography, the Providence resident made the Renaissance City proud with bold colors and fluid silohuettes.
Kara Wickman
Wickman's fall/winter 2011 collection included 22 looks that embraced quintessential femininity, with Oui's opening ensemble, “Charlotte,” featuring a reversible corset top in black and the “Lorraine” pencil skirt in the same hue topped with a black cage veil; an ensemble evocative of old Hollywood. A smattering of luxurious fabrics peppered the runway, including everything from tweed jackets and trousers to body-hugging silk bustiers, stretch velvet, silk chiffon and soft knits. As French melodies filled the 17th floor ballroom, each look centered around the classic corset top, something Wickman concedes creates a universally flattering silhouette. Each piece, complemented by Poetic License shoes, had an individual name, i.e Celine, SophieSimone, etc. An audible gasp fell over the standing room only gathering as “Amelia,” a black strapless tea-length gown veiled by a black French lace overlay and paired with red patent leather stilettos, a skinny patent leather belt in black and a bold, red flower in the hair, sashayed down the runway on an equally stunning model. Wickman said Boston-based stylist Christina Pierce, StyleWeek’s Director of Buyer & Designer Relations, “just did a great job” of completing her looks with accessories including jewelry, brilliantly-hued tights, over-the-knee stockings, opera gloves, headwear and more. Kitty Chambers, Wickman’s grandmother, wiped tears from her front row seat as she took in the models’ final walk and Wickman’s beaming smile as she took her bow at the top of the runway. “I loved everything,” she said in a gentle whisper. “They were all just so beautiful.”GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Maria Del Carmen Mercado
Season’s Bliss began to the sound of tribal beats and palpable energy. The cornerstone of Mercado’s “wearable art” is the diverse fabrics that are dyed, layered and woven by the designer, each painstakingly by hand. The show opened with a striking model donning a one of a kind wool garbardine jacket in a peach tone with silk lining paired with a chocolate brown ribbed mini-skirt. One-shoulder dresses in blue, black and various dyed silk were found throughout the collection, with many pieces paired with rich-hued, hand-dyed silk chiffon shawls-turned-head-dresses. Asymmetrical hemlines and belts with gold hardware were omni-present while footwear ranged from utility boots to sky-high heels. A mustard diamond cut dress with floral detailing made for an extraordinary stunner as did one shoulder stretch satin, floor length gown in sage green.
Tonight’s shows feature Providence’s own Karen Beebe (Queen of Hearts, Modern Love) and Samuel Vartan’s "Dark City" Runway Show.
