I’m taking in the runway show of Yigal Azrouel during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week as he unveils his Fall 2011 collection in The Studio.

Finding a seat right across from actress Vanessa Hudgens I was gearing up to be entertained by the clothing, accessories and overall feel of the show.  Other notables around me who were also getting geared up were Manhattan socialite Emma Snowdon-Jones, who always grooves in her seat as the runway show music is playing, actress Paz De La Huerta, Lincoln Center’s Director of Fashion Week, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Executive director at CDFA, Steven Kolb and Nylon style director Dani Stahl.

From the show packet: 
[the] collection celebrates the strength and power of artistic femininity and the discovery of seductive sensuality.  Linear and sartorial silhouettes are achieved through distinct menswear references and a play on formalwear-made-pedestrian.  Tailored suiting, oversized knit “tails” and car coats, opera coats paired with tuxedo pants, and fluid gowns are unified by conceptual layering and the ever-present cinched waist.

Royal jade and mandarin overlap with muted curry and salmon to create a modern palette with an emphasis on outwear in melange, tweeds and herringbone threads throughout the collection.  Overall I understood the collection’s direction but, personally, only liked a few pieces including Marique wearing a Soft Loden/Jet pearl knit wool car coat with a Jet leather patched knit and wool jacket, an Optic tux shirt, a Jet silk ottoman tux pant and Jet lace up wedge ankle boots, as well as Herieta wearing a Check/Shearling grandad vest with a Jade Swarovski crystal encrusted blouse (WOW!), a Salmon techno wool boy pant and Jet suede heeled loafers, Dasha wearing an Ivory new wool knit tails with an Optic tux shirt, a Jet silk ottoman boy pant and Jet lace up wedge ankle boots, Sophie wearing a Bone opera coat with a Jet leather trimmed jacket, an Optic/Jet pleated bib blouse with crystal elements, a Jet silk ottoman tux pant and Jet suede heeled loafers and lastly Tao wearing a Jet ostrich trimmed, yes OSTRICH, bib front silk chiffon dress with Jet suede heeled loafers.

After the show was over I definitely wanted to get backstage to check out a few of my favorite separates up close on the racks, especially that Swarovski crystal encrusted blouse … simply amazing.  I met some of Yigal’s family  that’s him with his sister in the picture), a few of the models and chatted with some celebrities.

Thanks, Yigal, and shalom.

– Mike J

Photo Credits:  Mike Coppola and Stefan Gosatti / Getty Images North America via zimbio.com and Mike J.