Toni Maticevski takes New York

Melbourne-based Toni Maticevski brought his signature elongated silhouettes to New York’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall 2010 for an ode on day and night dressing in a new decade. Looking particularly strong were the long-line blazers, sleeves rolled up and belted at the waist over mid-calf tulle skirts. Draping is a always a highlight of a Maticevski show and this time he gave it to us in one-shoulder dresses, artfully twisted with a light hand to create a very modern hourglass in spotted grey silk chiffon. The old-gold bias-cut satin top showed his considerable skill with fluid fabrics too. There were also sheer black mesh tops, shown with and without gold sequined modesty bras, teamed in turn with pencil skirts in black stretch or gold sequins, and even a frothy grey tiered evening skirt. Brides, who account for much of the Maticevski made-to-order business, will be inspired by floor-length oyster grey pleat dresses in the simplest A-line or more elaborate strapless gown with gold leaf detail. All up, a commercially aware collection with plenty of fresh ideas.

By Alicia Pyke