Reem Acra Mercedes Benz Fashion Week The Promenade @ Bryant Park February 5, 2007 mercedesbenzfashionweek.com Written by Bob Bland Photographed by Al McCotter

While many designers evoked the bias cuts of Vionnet or the geometric patterns of the Art Deco movement this season, no one was so overtly inspired by the 1920's as Reem Acra. In her artist's statement, Acra explained that simplicity of form and sensuality of fabric were used this season to create fresh pairings of modern pieces made to be worn with effortless elegance. Reem Acra built her reputation on bridal and eveningwear, and just debuted her daywear collection last season. Given her relative inexperience in that catagory, her Fall 2007 collection possessed many refined separates that were as dazzling as her cascading column gowns.

Her color story consisted of regal jewel tones- emerald, midnight blue and scarlet with pops of ochre and platinum. Fabrics were opulent classics like silk charmeuse, panne velvet, metallic jacquards and jersey. Though each style was simple, none of her looks were overly repetitive and her consistent use of drop-waisted dresses, cowl necklines, and voluminous oriental shrugs set her collection apart from many more indecisive designers. It seems that the fashion world has been increasingly fearful of direct interpretations, but this phenomena has produced a lack of focus in each individual collection. The strongest fall collections came from designers like Reem Acra and John Varvatos, who chose obvious themes and benefitted from the tight direction those themes provided.