Live from Fashion Week: Wild, Wild West

Designers Juan Carlos Obando and Ralph Lauren took inspiration in western United States for the clothing they created and presented on their spring runways—but with decidedly different twists. I adored Obando’s tough John Ford-inspired women; these are ladies who are strong enough to rope a horse, but soft and feminine to their core.

Obando’s models took the stage in dusty riding pants, and free-flowing gowns made to look dusty. The hair was wooly and tousled, recklessly pulled back in an effortless ponytail for an effect that was, to me, undeniably sexy.

Lauren’s creations centered in the beauty of a blue-collar worker’s uniform: think worn-in jeans, sweet floral print dresses, and baggy overalls. The Midwest of the twentieth century immediately comes to mind. He actually presented an “overall” evening gown! The show’s elegant simplicity took my breath away, as did the matching buns that sat upon the nape of every model’s neck. Sometimes sleek, sometimes ruffled, always beautiful. Bravo!