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.



Kering Posts 11% Drop in Q2 Sales, Sees Weak Second Half

The logo of luxury brand Gucci is seen in Tokyo on June 22, 2021. (AFP)
The logo of luxury brand Gucci is seen in Tokyo on June 22, 2021. (AFP)
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Kering Posts 11% Drop in Q2 Sales, Sees Weak Second Half

The logo of luxury brand Gucci is seen in Tokyo on June 22, 2021. (AFP)
The logo of luxury brand Gucci is seen in Tokyo on June 22, 2021. (AFP)

Kering reported a bigger-than-expected drop in second-quarter sales and forecast a weak second half, as the French luxury group struggles to revive its key label Gucci and worries grow about a prolonged downturn in high-end spending.

Sales at the French luxury group which owns labels Gucci, Boucheron and Balenciaga, fell to 4.5 billion euros ($4.9 billion), an 11% drop on an organic basis, which strips out currency effects and acquisitions.

The figure was below analyst expectations for a 9% drop, according to a Visible Alpha consensus.

It also said second-half operating income could fall by around 30%, following a 42% drop in the first half.

Sales at Gucci fell 19%, showing no improvement from the first quarter, and below analyst expectations for a 16% decline, according to a Visible Alpha consensus.

Kering has been revamping Gucci, the century-old Italian fashion house which accounts for half of group sales and two-thirds of profit.

Minimalist designs from new creative director Sabato de Sarno, which began trickling into stores earlier this year, are key to the design reset and push upmarket, in a bid to cater to wealthier clients who are more immune to economic headwinds.

Kering chief financial officer Armelle Poulou told reporters that the designs had been well received and the rollout was on track.

But the efforts have been complicated by a downturn in the global luxury market, while China's rebound - traditionally Gucci's most coveted market - was clouded by a property crisis and high youth unemployment as Western markets came down from a post-pandemic splurge.

Earnings from sector bellwether LVMH on Tuesday missed expectations as sales rose 1%, offering few signs that a pickup is around the corner, sending shares in luxury goods companies down on Wednesday. Kering traded at its lowest level since 2017.