James Coviello – New York Fashion Week Fall 2006

Ah, nothing like showing up for a 9 a.m. show and snagging a second-row seat at the tents. As soon as I took my place in A-2-07 (so read my seat card), I was whisked into what seemed to be a runway version of an Anthropologie store.

Continuing with this theme, the inspiration for James’s Fall 2006 collection was “early 20th century England” in the style of “a genteel young lady whose wardrobe is an artful mix of items plucked from her mother and father’s moving trunks.”

Naturally, with this description, I was bracing myself for button up jackets with stiff collars, ruffles and conservative cuts. Instead, I was treated to a delightful dollhouse of old meets new in warm shades of burgundy, plum, pink and brown – all perfect colors for autumn. The collection reminded me of a girl who likes to play dress-up by raiding several closets to create stylish layers.

As for the always-coveted swag bag, here were the contents: a James Coviello tote bag with his signature logo printed in dark pink; a full-length CD by The Real Tuesday Weld; a gourmet cookie from NuKitchen; and a full-sized Aveda product from the Caribbean Therapy line.

Video: Runway highlights

video by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine