NYC’s Hallmark Uptown Girl Goes Downtown with Dennis Basso SS27
For a designer who’s been in the business since before I was even born, CFDA-member Dennis Basso is keeping his finger on the pulse of the fashion-forward New York upper echelons –– who are now making their way downtown.
Basso’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection unveils 40 luxurious looks that span across varying occasions; from professional daytime workwear, to black tie evening gowns, and cocktail dresses for anything in between.
Hosted at the regal Gotham Hall, the looks at Dennis Basso Spring/Summer 2027 stuck to a strict color palette of neutrals, the occasional trendy butter yellow and hues of blue. Muted patterns on original-print silk chiffon incorporated florals, decorative paisley prints, and — an artsy flair to the collection –– paint brush strokes.
The opening look put into the classic “Uptown Girl”: a tweed hand-embroidered jacket topper and matching tweed pants. Although feeling like a more modern, oversized silhouette, the tweed fabric flowed through the catwalk with an air of old-money sophistication.While some evening gowns tend towards a prom-style like the bright, Tiffany-blue chiffon one-shoulder gown with handmade jeweled belt and accent shoulder, others feel more mature and contemporary. Take the fil coupe full length trumpet gown for example, or the hand beaded bugle gown with a godet hem.
All attention was on the garments at hand. Basso models were mostly styled conservatively, with slicked back pony tails and a simple but effective glam– understated, with the exception of a statement bracelet or earring, courtesy of Jennifer Miller.
However, some looks were done up and ready for a day in the city. The tweed wide leg pant and organza bow blouse, paired with an all-weather topper jacket from the diffusion line, Dennis by Dennis Basso. With a neutral pointed toe heel, gold drop earrings, a snakeskin clutch, and flowing sleeves jutting out from the topper, the silhouette felt elongated, but most importantly chic.
As always, the collection included several looks featured on QVC through Dennis by Dennis Basso. More accessible ready-to-wear looks included: a pale blue eyelet blazer, wide leg pants, tank top, a white pleated lace midi dress, and gray faux fur bolero. Spoiler: The lace midi dress is actually a wearable, favorite of mine, fitting perfectly into the boho-core Pinterest boards of the beloved downtown girls.Ensembles like the silk chiffon abstract floral gown with a matching shawl cape and the high-low silk blouse with matching pants in a flowering branch pattern were stand-outs from the crowd. From brocades to ostrich feather trims, cashmere boleros to sequins and pailettes encasing entire garments, the collection as a whole was cohesive, elegant and signature Dennis Basso.
Closing the show was none other than Christie Brinkley, supermodel and pop culture icon. Wearing a gold, strapless, draped chiffon column gown with pearl embellished trim, Brinkley smiled, waved, and wandered through the runway to none other than “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel. As her first time walking a runway show in 7 years, the crowd gave her quite the uproar.Despite not knowing any specific inspirations or influences of the show, I can say, simply, I get it. Women laughing and gliding through the night in stilettos to a dinner at Harry’s or a drink at Cipriani, a woman hurriedly on the go from midtown to a lunch meeting, an editor going straight from work to an event needing to be dressed for everything and anything. These are the everyday New York Socialite Woman, and, paired with classic American glamour, are spectacles of revelation for designers like Basso for the last 43 years.
Written by Alexia Christe for The Fashion Atlas Magazine.
SHOW CREDITS
MAKE-UP AND HAIR: JULIEN FAREL SALON
PRODUCTION: SHANNON DAVIDSON PRODUCTIONS
HANDBAGS: AERIN (AEDELINA WICKER CLUTCH), EUGI PARK (EVENING BAGS), GOLD MINAUDIERE (FROM THE LATE MRS. BASSO)
JEWELRY: JENNIFER MILLER
SHOES AND ACCESSORIES: Dennis Basso Collection
PUBLIC RELATIONS: PURPLE
