John Varvatos Rocks Out 7 World Trade Center September 10,2007 Written by Jamie Sharpe Photographed by Mary Blanco

John Varvatos definitely struck a deep chord with the fashion crowd by showing his Spring 2008 collection on the 45th floor of 7 World Trade Center for the second consecutive season. The crowd was a virtual who’s who of celebrities that included LL Cool J, Tim Robbins, Tom Colicchio, JC Chasez, and Damien Fahey. Varvatos’ models rocked the runway to Alice Cooper (who was also in attendance), and the music set the tone for an evening of foxy rock star worthy threads.

The plush collection was largely composed of soft, featherweight fabrics. The sweaters were primarily done in silk, cotton, linen, and cashmere with whip stitched insets. The color palette was well grounded in shades of grey and light aqua tones that had a worn-in appeal. These pieces had a distinctive, slim silhouette, but the clothing still appeared crisp and clean. Varvatos punched up the line with a cognac leather jacket, subtle textures, buckled sashes, and graphic plaids. Dip dyed and vachetta leather bags with aged metal hardware completed the looks, lending just a hint of vintage to the line.

In conjunction with the dapper suits and casual daywear, Varvatos spoke of the heart wrenching events that inspired his choice of venue. He was overheard saying, “We’re like a phoenix rising again from the ashes.”

The views from the 45th floor, rockin’ tunes, glamed out crowd, and inspirational location were more than enough to hold the audience’s attention. But, it was the clothing that was the standout of this men’s wear collection. So, if you were wondering where all of the beautiful people were holding court on September 10th, it was all the way downtown at the John Varvatos show. And the show might have been quite a trek from the Tents of Bryant Park, but the experience was worth every step.