By Erin Moonyeen Haley
It could have been New Year’s Eve in Vegas with the way models strutted in Natalie De’banco’s shimmering line of gowns that were ice and fire with a side of velvet. Hosted in the jewel box setting of Nubeluz Rooftop at the Ritz Carlton New York, Nomad, stunning panoramic views provided the moneyed backdrop that perfectly dovetailed the clothing, all of which moved with the body with shimmies of sequins. The clothing line prides itself on being on the cutting edge of style, with “vibrant hues and slick tailoring” as its calling card, all of which was evident throughout the show.
The collection's sobriquet was "La Boheme", a declaration of nonconformity where hedonistic pleasure is embraced, not shunned, and societal rules take a backseat to the libertine lifestyle that is less about gourmandizing and more about unabashed self-gratification. The woman who wears anything from the La Boheme line is not an individual who will cower in a corner of the dance floor; she will reign in the center, under the disco ball, embracing the spotlights.
Making a Mad Max-esq wardrobe as sexy as Tina Turner ever did, gold crisscrossed the torso in a metallic ensemble, hanging in unfettered chainlinks down the legs.
Accessorized with a gaucho hat, low-cut designs gave the impression that they were made of liquid licorice, save for the lacy leg.
Silver hooks and sparkles swung in chandelier skirts while bodices encrusted with metal added extra bling.
Metal butterflies and high, I-Dream-of-Jeannie ponytails made some looks appear glamorously girlie.
Crystal and beaded headpieces with fringe harkened back to the 1920s sybaritic lifestyles. All that was missing was the champagne.
Barely-there tops stamped the torso in neat addition signs, while fringe skirts kept things playful.
Calypso herself would wear the gowns with sections cut from the torso, allowing sequined mermaid skirts to command all the attention.
All gold corsets and shorts managed to be futuristic in a dominatrix way.
Velvet stood out amid the metal and shine, especially with the peek-a-book cutouts.
Stars in attendance included Russian Doll's Natasha Lyonne, Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell and Bravo'sThe Real Housewives of New Jersey's Melissa Gorga and Real Housewives of New York's Dorinda Medley and Luann de Lesseps.
~ Images provided by V