Narciso Rodriguez is one of the most meticulous designers on the planet. He also works quite iteratively. If it wasn t a surprise to discover he d taken the reversible concept he introduced for Resort and run with it for Pre-Fall, his new blazer, A-line skirt, and sleeveless dress—all in luxurious double-face—were nonetheless marvels of precision and fit. And talk about versatile: The opposite side of an understated lapel-less charcoal coat was ivory with a bold band of yellow. You couldn t go unnoticed in a number like that. The other news here was his expanded eveningwear range. Retailers have finally realized what bold-facers like Julianna Margulies and Julia Louis-Dreyfus have known for years. Rodriguez makes some of the sexiest gowns around, quite body-conscious yet still discreet. Tops among today s offering was a spaghetti-strap dress with a fitted white bodice and a long black skirt in a soft washed silk. If we don t see it on the red carpet before awards season ends, we ll be surprised. A streamlined black jumpsuit with a revealing T-strap back had a little less star wattage but still gave off plenty of heat.
