Max Azria Spring 2010 – New York Fashion Week

The actor Mickey Rourke, an inexplicable guest at the Max Azria Spring 2010 fashion show, reportedly said of the eponymous label’s latest neutral-colored offerings that they were great because they suited all types of women, including those with “big [boobs] and big [butts]” (we’re being kind here with the paraphrasing).

We beg to differ, Mr. Rourke. Sure, the fabrics hang and the clothes are comfortable, but it definitely helps to be long and lean – particularly given the number of slash cutouts that permeated most of the designs, causing some of the otherwise conservative looks to be pulled by gravity even further and become quite revealing. The perimeters of some cutouts encrusted with thick shiny silver lining, these slashes were used on sleeves, along entire silhouettes on both sides, down the back and, in one case on a white crepe dress, just above the right buttock. Much more successful and visually engaging was the use of a metallic cage design, particularly in a gold/gunmetal cage metal mesh dress that was paired with a black silk sweater dress and suede sandals.