'Siriano From the Sea'

Standing at only a few inches taller that I, it was Christian Siriano’s short, wiry frame that caught my attention in an East Village thrift shop last June.

Having skimped out on the recent installments of the ‘Project Runway’ series, it took me some time to realize that the familiar face at Buffalo Exchange was the show’s winner from its fourth season.

The 23-year-old wowed judges with his sophisticated and detail-driven designs, winning the most challenges than any other contestants before him. Today, Siriano elicited the same reaction from a celebrity-studded audience at his Spring-Summer 2010 fashion show in Bryant Park.

Rising from the foamy sea, the designer’s Venus emerged in a glimmering white tailored suit and large brim hat. The churning of the Mediterranean Sea, which served as his inspiration, washed up in the skirts and jackets – a blend of aqua, green, blue, white and black.

In Siriano’s favorite nude colors, models wore beaded bodices that gave way to a lavishly draped, origami-folded organza skirt. His signature ruffles hugged the necklines and waists of satin dresses. There were flounces in the shoulders, subtle pleating and balloon hems to add further volume to his eveningwear.

Model Alessandra Ambrosio and actress Mena Suvari applauded the satin-faced organza gowns, an explosion of romantic ruffles in a blush and then a molten earth color – Venus had made her way to the Italian coastline.

At a time when other designers prefer black leather and studded accents, Siriano presented a collection that was tranquil and fluid, as cool as a dip in the ocean would be. It was an interpretation praised by his most loyal critic/mentor Tim Gunn, who equated the young designer to “this generation’s Marc Jacobs.”

Gunn told the press: “I feel like a proud dad.”

As for the shoes? The teetering models stood on vertiginous platforms with a sharp, claw-like heel. According to the Associated Press, the shoes mark his third lineup for his campaign with Payless.

Now that’s fierce.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of style.com