Cheryl Shops

Where & When: Thursday, February 11 at 10 a.m., the Tent, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: BCBG is always the first big show of Fashion Week and it tends to set the tone in a way for the season. The last few BCBG shows have definitely veered toward the overly sexy, and while I love a sexy dress, I--as well as most of the women I know--prefer to leave a little more to the imagination in real life. Max and Lubov Azria perhaps sensed this shift in aesthetic, because nearly every look they sent down the runway today was a complete 180 from last season. Gone are the ruched, cutout, body-con dresses of yore; they've been replaced by asymmetrically draped and layered frocks that recall togas, albeit modern, youthful ones. It was interesting to watch the Azrias experiment with their new silhouette in different fabrics--the proportions carried through from colorblocked daytime looks to sequined eveningwear. Hey, that's their shape, and they're sticking to it. (And I fully support that.)
Standout Look: This was the first look of the show, and it definitely set the tone for the entire presentation. While most of the dresses had a certain amount of volume to them, they were constructed in such a way that they were still flattering. In this case, the belt helps to define the shape of the dress without taking away from its flowing essence.
Bonus Points: Most likely due to yesterday's inclement weather, there were quite a few empty seats at this show, but all the heavy hitters, from Elle's Robbie Myers and Kate Lanphear to Vogue's Anna Wintour, were there, plus supermodel Maggie Rizer, Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child, and everyone's favorite blogger, Bryanboy.
Where to Buy: Click here to find a store.