February 13, 5pm - Webster Hall, NYC
I left the Union Sq station, went down my way to 125 E 11th St and in the corner I could see the marquee: Webster Hall, featuring the CU-SH FW '23 presentation. It was my first time attending as a guest to a NYFW show and I was so nervous I ignored the photographers in the street and walked straight up to the line. As I entered and started to climb the dark stairs inside I thought: such an interesting spot for a fashion show!
The Webster Hall is an east village landmark where live music meets night club and everything can happen... I was directed to my place and began to observe the guests near their chairs positioned in front of a stage where musicians were warming up and above, more guests in VIP cabins. The fashion show started with singer Breanna Barbara welcoming the models with her light, energy and music in a powerful rock 'n' roll performance.
Titled “Les Radiants,” Collection Fifteen (Fall/Winter 2023) presented by CUCCULELLI SHAHEEN was inspired by chaos and classicism, atomic poets, beautiful dynamite, Gotham surrealism, and the designers’ perennial muse: New York City. One by one, runway stunning looks brought glamour and (lots of) sparkles to life. Lush embroidery and effortless silhouettes took center stage in a color palette of black, gunmetal, silver, red, champagne and gold. Come check some of my favorite below (the entire collection is available here):
Key runway looks included: sheer slip dresses with smokey glass crystals; a ruby caped dress in oversized lace netting motif; floor length coats; metallic and lace cut-out dresses; and a radiating sun motif that repeated itself in a perfect tailoring cut suit and stunning gowns, which made the models look like real-life greece goddesses.
Drawing inspiration from artists known for playing with light and shadow such as Baroque painter Georges de La Tour, Rembrandt, Caravaggio and contemporary visual artist Christopher Bucklow, the new CUCCULELLI SHAHEEN collection embodies the passage of the sun in the sky from night into day.
Rounding out the show included an outstanding appearance on the runway by winner of Season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Jaida Essence Hall and American Performer and former contestant on Season 14 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bosco.
A little bit about the brand: CUCCULELLI SHAHEEN is a New York-city based couture brand founded in 2016 by partners Anthony Cucculelli and Anna Rose Shaheen. Known for its lush and intricate embroidery pieces, the brand partners with the world’s top embroidery artisans and cutting-edge pattern-makers to create wearable works of art. Each motif and silhouette are designed in NY, and every embroidery is stitched by-hand using heritage techniques in Mumbai.
The duo met while working in Diane von Furstenberg’s West Village studio in the mid-aughts. A stint working in Florence, Italy, amplified their design partnership and they have been working together ever since. Cu-Sh is defined by its synthesis of lush embroidery and effortless silhouette. Inspiration is drawn from classical art, music, mythology, and always: New York City.
The gowns are truly red carpet worthy, in fact they've just dressed the new Disney's Little Mermaid star, Halle Bailey for the 2023 Pre-Grammy Gala earlier this year.
And as a Miley Cyrus' fan, I could'n leave without mentioning, the brand also was wore by singer FLETCHER at 'Miley's New Year's Eve Party'.
CUCCULELLI SHAHEEN is available at top luxury retailers worldwide like Bergdorf Goodman, Moda Operandi, and Harvey Nichols Dubai, among others. Please, visit their website and Instagram for more info.
SHOW CREDITS:
Styling: Cucculelli Shaheen/Anissa Silvas Production: Muzam Productions
Music: Breanna Barbara
Casting: Muzam Productions
Make-up: Nick Lujan for Kevyn Aucoin
Hair: Clay Nielsen for Aveda
Nails: Pattie Yankee
Jewelry: Fabergé
Footwear: Chelsea Paris
Beverages: Topo Chico
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