Michael
Vollbracht
September 2008 Fashion Week
The Wally Findlay Gallery
124 East 57th Street
New York, NY 10022
September 16, 2008
Written by
Wendy R. Williams
Photographed by
Nick Hunt of Patrick McMullan
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Michael Vollbracht launched his
new line at the Wally Findlay Gallery on September
16, 2008. This was Vollbracht's first fashion show
since he worked as creative director of Bill Blass
in 2007.
Here is a quote from the press
release for the show (Jonathan Marder and Company
Inc.): "Saks Fifth Avenue announced the launch
of an exclusive new line of made-to-measure and
made-to-order clothing designed by Michael Vollbracht.
It’s the designer’s first fashion endeavor
since exiting Bill Blass in 2007. The collection,
which includes both day and evening looks, evokes
a classic, American style. Vollbracht said, “Like
Bill, I’ve traveled all over the country and
have met women who need clothes that fit their lifestyle.
Bill told me early in my career, ‘Kid, go
out and meet your customer’ and I have always
followed his advice.”'
Many of Vollbracht's customers
and friends attended the fashion show (see photos
below): Carolina Herrera, Sheila Johnson, Karen
Bjornson, Anne Ford, Charlotte Ford, Iris Apfel,
Christina Coleman, Cece Cord, Liz Peek, Kathleen
Hearst, Bethann Hardison, Duane Hampton, Donna Murphy,
Candy Pratts Price, Nancy Kissinger, Michele Gerber
Klein, Louise Grunwald, Jamee Gregory, Adria Roush,
and more.
The line that Vollbracht showed
at the Wally Findlay was filled with elegant garments,
made from beautiful fabrics that would be the classic
building blocks of an Upper Eastside/Philadelphia
Mainline socialite's wardrobe. But Vollbracht's
pieces are so universally beautiful they can also
be mixed with a touch of whimsy to dress a more
bohemian lifestyle. Because beautiful clothes are
beautiful clothes and they can help tell many different
stories.
I had a quick moment to speak
to Vollbracht before the show and asked him my stock
fashion question: "What was your inspiration?"
He replied, "Flowers." And flowers it
was, they were everywhere, in the paintings on the
wall and worked into the designs of the clothing.
The fashion show took place against
a backdrop of Vollbracht's art work, "Ladies
Painted," which is on display throughout the
month of October 2008 at the Wally Findlay Gallery.
Click here
for a PDF about the art show.
Click
here to read the designer's biography.
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