BUREAU FASHION: Christian Siriano

By Penny Patterson

After I survived the mob scene outside the venue for the Christian Siriano show, I was thrilled to make my way to my primo seating to witness the Project Runway winner's fifth collection; I was seated next to Saks Fifth Avenue president Ron Frasch and Neiman Marcus fashion director Ken Downing. Both stores carry Siriano's collection. There's clearly something about the designer. "Women are very excited about him," Downing said after the show. "They definitely know who he is."Siriano explained his Spring inspiration as a mélange of various cultures from places he hasn't been; "A bit of African, a bit of Asian, a bit of Mediterranean-Greek," he said backstage.

He highlighted the collection with gallons of ruffles that flowed through and down the garments with abstract Indian temple prints and croc-patterned brocade safari suit themes. The collection was stunning and was one of his strongest collections to date. Christian makes clothes for that smart woman that appreciates understated sophistication and glamour and makes sure both aesthetics play a major role in her daily life.

For the most part, after five collections Siriano has proven he is more than a flash in the pan reality tv star that has stretched his fifteen minutes of fame. He is a serious designer that has rooted himself in the American retail marketplace and simply put -- he is here to stay.