Christian Siriano Nods to ‘Dune’ for Fall Line at New York Fashion Week

 Model Coco Rocha presents a creation at the Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2024 collection show at New York Fashion Week, in New York City, US, February 8, 2024. (Reuters)
Model Coco Rocha presents a creation at the Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2024 collection show at New York Fashion Week, in New York City, US, February 8, 2024. (Reuters)
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Christian Siriano Nods to ‘Dune’ for Fall Line at New York Fashion Week

 Model Coco Rocha presents a creation at the Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2024 collection show at New York Fashion Week, in New York City, US, February 8, 2024. (Reuters)
Model Coco Rocha presents a creation at the Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2024 collection show at New York Fashion Week, in New York City, US, February 8, 2024. (Reuters)

US designer Christian Siriano looked to the sweeping landscapes from science fiction epic "Dune" at his Fall/Winter fashion show, presenting a collection deeply rooted in the tones of the desert.

Models wore draped coats and jackets in earthy browns and reds, while frocks came in shiny metallics at the catwalk presentation on Thursday at The Plaza Hotel, held ahead of Friday's official start of New York Fashion Week: The Shows.

Dresses were often slit at the thigh while male models wore cropped jackets with wide-leg trousers. Iridescent materials and lamé provided a futuristic look.

"What would you wear if you were going to a cocktail party or a gala? I think they've got the futurism covered, but what would you wear if you wanted to be glamorous?" Siriano told Reuters backstage.

"That's what I want to give to that world if we had to live there."

"Dune", Frank Herbert's 1965 novel set in the future where noble families rule planetary fiefs, has been adapted for the screen several times, including David Lynch's 1984 version and Denis Villeneuve's 2021 movie, starring Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya. Its sequel is due for release this month.

Siriano said he wanted to offer a mix of silhouettes at his show, whose celebrity guests included actors Alicia Silverstone and J. Smith-Cameron.

"We start the show actually (with) a lot of really beautiful tailored pieces, great trousers, gorgeous cut jackets and then it kind of builds into a really beautiful, more romantic, glamorous evening world," Siriano said.

"I wanted people to see the range of dressing, and I think that that's really what my customer is looking for."

Nearly 50 brands including Carolina Herrera, Tommy Hilfiger and Brandon Maxwell will showcase their collections during New York Fashion Week, which runs until Feb. 14.



Hermes 2Q Sales Rise 13% on Continued Appetite for High-End Luxury

People stand with Hermes shopping bags as they wait at a traffic light in Tsim Sha Tsui, a bustling shopping hotspot, in Hong Kong, China December 5, 2023. (Reuters)
People stand with Hermes shopping bags as they wait at a traffic light in Tsim Sha Tsui, a bustling shopping hotspot, in Hong Kong, China December 5, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hermes 2Q Sales Rise 13% on Continued Appetite for High-End Luxury

People stand with Hermes shopping bags as they wait at a traffic light in Tsim Sha Tsui, a bustling shopping hotspot, in Hong Kong, China December 5, 2023. (Reuters)
People stand with Hermes shopping bags as they wait at a traffic light in Tsim Sha Tsui, a bustling shopping hotspot, in Hong Kong, China December 5, 2023. (Reuters)

Birkin-bag maker Hermes reported a 13% rise in second-quarter sales on Thursday, demonstrating the continued appetite from wealthy shoppers for its luxury handbags, even as less affluent consumers pull back.

Sales at the French luxury group grew to 3.7 billion euros ($4.02 billion), a 13% organic sales rise that strips out currency fluctuations. The figure was in line with analyst expectations, according to a Visible Alpha consensus.

Operating profit for the first half was 3.1 billion euros, compared to a forecast from consensus provider Visible Alpha for 3.2 billion.

One of the most steady performers in the luxury goods sector -- even as economic conditions worsen -- the French group's results stand out after a string of disappointing earnings updates from peers which have raised investor concern about uncertain prospects for the sector in the coming months.

Hermes' famously classic designs and tight management of production and stock have helped reinforce the label's aura of exclusivity, and CEO Axel Dumas told reporters the company had seen "no big interruption in trends".

However, he said Hermes was seeing slightly less traffic with aspirational clients, which was impacting higher volume products like fashion accessories.