Women Images: Costello Tagliapietra Spring 2009

Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra are amazingly talented New Yorkers. Jeffrey learned the finer points of pattern making and couture techniques from his grandmother, who had worked for designer Norman Norell in the 1960s. Robert learned similar dressmaking skills from his grandmother, who also worked for Norman Norell in the 1960s.Their spring 2009 collection was a labor of love. They sew their collection by hand - they don't use seamstresses. The constant theme of the collection was the fluidity of the fabrics - Silk satin, Ultrasuede, and jersey. Stylist Sally Lyndley used leather chokers, cuffs, and Leatherman Muir caps to butch it up. The thick tough belts accentuate the innate femininity of a tiny waist, highlighting a woman's curves. The contrast was fantastic - each model had an anchor tattoo with her initials airbrushed onto her right arm - matching the designers tattoo anchor and initials tattoo.

This was not a case of a male designer living vicariously through models pushed out onto a runway. Instead, Costello Tagliapietra create a world where women can look expensive without being snooty, sexy without being slutty, provocative with a sense of humour.

Agyness