Besides sitting directly behind 19-year old singer Pia Mia and her mother and feeling like the oldest person in the world, there was nothing else underage about Michael Costello’s glamorous latest offering, which played out like the royal run-through for Kim Kardashian’s wardrobe following a quick nip/tuck post delivering her Christmas baby, likely to be named a derivative of Jesus.
Glamazon models sauntered down the Chelsea Piers-located runway, drenched in swarms of luxe fabric in emerald, sunshine yellow, dusty pink and after Labor Day whites – with all looks appearing as if about to hop on a luxury yacht in sunny Ibiza.
For those bound to the New York downtown celebrity style circuit, a series of deep V-neck floor-length gowns are sure to have you properly decked out for a late-night cocktail at Tao, sparkly embellishments, open backs, capes and all.
Costello, unofficially the king of red carpet fashion, isn’t going to have any problems dressing the fash pack come awards season, because if Kardashian doesn’t snap up one of his elegant creations, it’s likely that her frenemy Beyonce will, given her longtime stylist Ty Hunter was in the front row, one of the many celebrities seen at the show.
Karrueche Tran and Hilton sisters, Paris and Nicky, were among those bearing their pearly whites at the event, which featured flowing Grecian goddess-inspired dresses, dazzling body jewelry and bejeweled crowns, adding a modern day royal edge to the collection.
The suite of looks remained true to the designer’s tried-and-tested playbook of paparazzi-ready styles, catered to fit the demands of celebrities across the spectrum, ranging from the former Disney star looking to make her mark or the comeback kid seeking for a ‘wow’-factor look, which could be found in the form of a naked dress peppered with strategically placed silver beading.
Reams of draped fabric added a touch of class to the sex-bomb range of thigh-high split dresses and bare, golden skin, a standout being a silvery V-neck leotard paired with a sumptuous pink flowing cape and gold gladiator stack heels.
A key look included a one-shoulder yellow dress with cheeky midriff cut outs and a ruffled, layered cutaway skirt, paired with bubblegum pink lips and a side-swept hairdo, that screamed the definition of excessive indulgence in pleasure and luxury.
Inspired by feminine decadence, Costello merged his bold shapes with a softer and sweeter color palate. “This collection has more movement, leaving more to the imagination,” Costello said of the collection. “It evokes the sexiness of a tight dress with the draping of an elegant gown.”
Chic jumpsuits in white, magenta and lemon were accentuated with body jewels, while asymmetrical cuts and one-shoulder contributed to the audience’s standing ovation as Costello performed his closing victory lap, high fiving friends and colleagues in the crowd en route.
Costello is known for designing Beyonce’s iconic 2014 Grammy’s gown, among other A-list celebrities, and is gaining increasing notoriety internationally. While Mia’s bestie Kylie Jenner was not in attendance, given her Instagram moniker is King Kylie – to match boyfriend Tyga’s social network name, King Gold Chains, there’s every chance, come awards season, he’ll be dressing a new kind of royalty.
