Fall '11 Fashion Week: Malandrino

Catherine Malandrino is very particular about mise-en-scène: "I will only show at a one-of-a-kind space," she insisted before her Fall presentation in the cavernous former New York Times building that will be torn down and rebuilt as a hotel beginning next week. The designer said her collection is best illustrated by a python tote that had "Paris" written on one side and "New York" on the other. This collection was full of accessible evening dresses in jewel tones—emerald, violet, cobalt—affirmed that French women inherently understand how to flatter their figures. Empire waists cinched with a leather sash enhanced the décolletage, and strategic ruching hugged all the right curves.