N is for Narciso Rodriguez Sleek and ultramodern, clothes by Narciso Rodriguez combine bold colours and shapes with luxurious fabrics, creating a contemporary vision of femininity with strong silhouettes and clean lines.
Best known for his sexy, bold women’s wear with a touch of Jackie O class and whimsy, his style is American with a European influence – architectural, pure, precise, sensual, sleek, classic, practical, feminine, and elegant.
Embraced by red carpet starlets such a Salma Hayek, Claire Danes, and Sarah Jessica Parker and dress-to-impress socialites, the label specialises in slinky, silky eveningwear and cocktail-wear reflecting the mod style of the 60s. In 1996 he gained attention when he made the wedding dress his friend Carolyn Bessette wore when she married John F Kennedy Jr.
Born in New Jersey of Cuban-American parents, Rodriguez received his formal education at the famous Parson’s School of Design in New York. Following freelance work in New York’s garment industry, he joined Anne Klein under Donna Karan, and later Calvin Klein
designing women’s ready-to-wear before launching his own label in 1998.In 2003, he became the first American to win the Council of Fashion Designers of America Womenswear Designer of the Year Award two years in a row. However, by 2006, Rodríguez, who had ended his relationship with his label's backers, Moschino and Alberta Ferretti, over a contract dispute, was over $1 million in debt to his suppliers, and needed fabric donations for his spring collection. The subsequent collection meet with enthusiatic reviews and revived his fortunes.
Narciso is the first designer in history to receive the womenswear designer of the year award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America consecutively in 2002 and 2003. He has continued to show his collections in New York, having joined a new generation of designers known for exquisite tailoring and fine design and craftmanship.
By Nikki Webber - Christchurch
