Vera Wang: Sensual and suggestive styles on runway

[February 15, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Vera Wang was going for sensual in her fall styles presented Tuesday at New York Fashion Week, and she succeeded.

Suggestive, sheer champagne-colored layers covered many of the models, showing nothing the audience shouldn't see -- or did they?

"A sensual silhouette -- long, narrow, leggy -- extending from a high neckline, caught at peplumed hips," Wang said in her notes left for the editors, stylists and retailers who, after six days of previews, are starting to see this strong, sultry muse emerge for next season.

Peplum, a flounce or flourish of fabric attached to the waist or hips of a garment, is showing up frequently in lines for this and next season.

There also were comforting, rich touches of boucle (nubbly yarn) and fur, offset by glitzy, substantial crystal-mesh embellishment.

"Clothing as sanctuary: The body protectively enveloped in the soft armor of a fitted sheath, the sharp discipline of fencing-inspired jackets, the structured carapace of a coat," the designer explained. "The female form revealed by smoky transparencies that allow a glimpse of skin and of delicate lingerie not meant to be hidden, but seen."

Basically, Wang described it all, and the crowd could have gone home with just that, but then they would have missed Wang doing her artsy thing that makes her a consistent favorite at the Lincoln Center tents.

"She's a woman and she owns it. She's smart, quick and funny," said actress Leighton Meester.

Meester said she came to the show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to support "Vera and all her wonderfulness. I am a big fan."

Meester was joined in the front row by Renee Zellweger and Viola Davis. But would one of the designer's admirers be daring enough to don Wang's blue chiffon gown with a high neck created by a multi-layer organza flange on the red carpet. It's a risk that would likely pay off.

[Associated Press; By SAMANTHA CRITCHELL]

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