CITYist

When I arrived at Milk last night I was sure my champagne addled eyes were deceiving me.  Not only was there a mob of people by the front door demanding to be let in with exclaims of “Don’t you know who I AM?” but there was also a line that stretched to 10th ave. Joining the end of the line, I was honestly worried that I was going to miss the Erickson Beamon presentation, which was surely going to be the jewel of NYFW 2012. So, when the opportunity to sneak in a back door behind other eager line waiters presented itself, I quickly dashed up the stairs and I was off to the presentation.

To say it was worth sneaking in is an understatement. Never before in my life have I wished I was a model, but last night changed all that. Lounging on plush velvet sofas and perched on vintage cafe sets, jewel-covered male and female models alike slugged down glasses of wine and champagne, danced to the raucous Citizens Band, and performed dance numbers that would put the hardest partying flapper to shame.

While Erickson Beamon is known for its exquisite jewelry, (and yes, I might be slightly biased since I borrowed some to wear at my wedding), this presentation marked their foray into ready-to-wear. Karen Erickson and Vicki Beamon were inspired by the 1930s Berlin burlesque and traveling carnivals, a.k.a. the “dirty thirties.” With beaded and bejeweled cocktail and slip dresses the collection evoked a wicked and opulent boudoir feeling, leaving you with the sense that you were witness to something decadent and naughty.

Some more Erickson Beamon jewels:

Photo credit: First three photos Courtesy of Billy Farrell Agency, mannequin photos by Liz Black