StyleWeek Providence: Karen Beebe & Samuel Vartan

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Editor Andrea E. McHugh

StyleWeek continued last night, despite the deplorable weather conditions, featuring two well-known designers in their sophomore effort at Providence’s key fashion event of the season. Karen Beebe, proprietress of the Queen of Hearts boutique since 2006 and the newly minted Modern Love (both on Westminster Street) featuring footwear, jewelry and accessories, unveiled her current collection under her Lucille label, established in 2001. A blend of classic-meets-quirky contemporary casual wear, the Winter 2011 line was a diverse as it was engaging. From polka dot to prints, lace to sequin, the colorful collection merged classic silhouettes with edgy separates reminiscent of yesteryear, including a positively covetable slinky halter jumpsuit in shimmering silver, girlish romper, and charming black and white culottes. A one-of-a-kind cocktail dress featuring draping cape over the left shoulder stirred the crowd as did a strapless evening gown with sweetheart neckline in a refreshing floral pattern incorporating shades of black white and gold. Beebe’s attention to detail, like boldly hued linings, was only enhanced by the impeccable makeup and supersized hair orchestrated by StyleWeek’s Artistic Director, Jessica Berndt, a makeup artist for Laura Mercier and best known locally for her work with ProvidencePinUp.com.

Samuel Vartan

Samuel Vartan’s “Dark City” Fall/Winter 2011 collection, comprised primarily of varying shades of black, grey and silver, unequivocally christens the Canadian-born, Boston-based designer as the bad boy of StyleWeek. A positively seductive collection replete with skintight body suits, plunging necklines and scandalous hemlines in various textures including cashmere, velvet, satin and leather, Dark City adopted ominous overtones throughout. According to his bio, the collection gets its name from the Vartan’s love of big, eclectic cities such as Montreal, New York, London, Prague and Berlin, “which all have a strong underground sub cultures.” Vartan describes the collection’s client as being confident in their sexuality, which was acutely apparent in the sheer pieces and body-hugging pants, dresses and more. Original and unapologetic, the collection was intriguingly vampy, exacerbated by models sporting blood red lips, dramatic eyes, mostly pin-straight locks, and accessories including sheer black veils and Gothic hoods. Vartan’s ability to diversify collections is obvious and refreshing.

Image of sequin dress in Beebe's Lucille collection, top right), and silver dress by Samuel Vartan (lower left) by Providence-based photographer Anibal Melo, www.anibalmelophoto.com