Herve Leger by Max Azria – New York Fashion Week Spring 2012 Review

As has been the case each season, Max Azria and Co. successfully pulled off the admirable semi-annual job of producing three fashion shows for each of its lines: BCBGMAXAZRIA, Max Azria and Herve Leger.  While Herve Leger is my favorite of the three – featuring more red carpet looks than the commercial BCBG and the polar opposite in terms of fit of the airy Max Azria – the label’s "bandage dresses" favored by Hollywood starlets are, in a word, unforgiving. 

Still, for some the dresses represent the distinct possibility to emulate the likes of Jessica Szohr, Leann Rimes or Ashlee Simpson – all of whom attended the label’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week runway show on Sept. 13, 2011.  With each collection, Herve Leger successfully manages to maintain its signature elastic band styling while mixing up the details.  One season these actually included bandage swimsuits.  Although those were not present for Spring 2012, what sparkled throughout were shimmering black, gold, silver, nude and gunmetal braids woven into dresses.  Despite the apparent physical restrictions of the material, the collection included a series of fringe dresses with loose hems and ended with a white bandage floor-length gown.  To top it off, fierce knee-high gladiator boots accompanied every single look.