It was no surprise when a flock of curvy PYTs turned up wearing Vanessa Seward’s slinky, bejeweled gowns for Azzaro at an extravagant black-tie bash at the Lido on Wednesday night. But while Seward’s dazzling dresses are a no-brainer come party time in Paris — and in Hollywood, where the designer is building a real red-carpet following — for fall, she further expanded her collection, offering more separates and more day clothes than ever before.
Fluid, sexy gowns, of the sort she’s become known for, included a goddess-y number beaded with a thick pearly neckline and a rich velvet dress cut low as can be around the back and traced with a rope of major-crystal chain link. Meanwhile, Seward’s shorter flirty numbers, which were wound round with pretty velvet ribbons, could easily cross over from day to evening. Finding a way to do separates the charged Azzaro way, however, presents more of a challenge. While a velvet jacket trimmed in lamé might read a little tap dance-y, among the strongest looks in Seward’s lineup were fabulous jeweled sweaters and glittering peasant skirts that looked just right for today while living up to the house’s high-gloss legend.
