Elegant evening wear is like a work of art.
From bolts of fabric, designers create beauty in the same way that a painter touches brush to canvas or a sculptor molds clay or chisels stone. All are driven by the same passion, the same creative urges.
"In life, to do something very well, you have to have passion," Oscar de la Renta said in a recent interview. Like many designers, de la Renta studied art before embarking on a fashion career.
This season, the Rembrandts and the Rodins of the fashion world, such as Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Gianni Versace and Yves Saint Laurent, present conversation-stopping, sensual evening wear that whispers for attention.
This is not the year for tons of sequins, ostrich feathers or sweeping ball gowns.
Instead, a simple black jersey gown is given a long side slit, a crepe number with a plunging V at the back is molded to the body, a taffeta cocktail
dress bares one shoulder. Lace in key spots gives a hint of warm flesh, and heart-shaped bustiers take the strapless trend one step further.
Showing skin is definitely in.
The dazzling array of parties and balls that occurs through the holiday season will provide optimum viewing of elegant evening attire that is as captivating as an impressionist painting.
Take Emanuel Ungaro's silk surprise. The Paris-based maestro, whose use of color and prints is his signature, has toned his evening look down for fall by taking brown silk and draping it into a wrap dress that is held together at the waist by a jeweled clasp. A V-neckline and an asymmetrical hemline that opens at the front like an unfolding flower provide the drama.
Then there is Saint Laurent's sexy gown of sheer black chiffon with black sequins shaped into flowers. Saint Laurent, who is considered the last of the great couturiers, has sliced the one-shoulder gown down the side, joining the fabric for three inches at the hip with two satin ribbons tied into bows.
Equally daring is Pierre Cardin's revealing gown with a transparent black- lace bodice, huge fan-shaped collar of net, and a taffeta skirt. A fuchsia satin belt is tied in a bow at the back.
Versace is offering bustier gowns with skirting that trails the ground at the back but is raised to mini-level at the front. The bustiers are bright and colorful, the skirts black-and-white checks or plaids.
