Carlos Miele: The Power and Beauty of the Hispanic American Cultures
By Heide Winkenwerder
Photos by Javier Mateo

NEW YORK, Feb 15, 2004/ FW/ --- Carlos Miele used the designs on the fabrics used on the show to be reflected on the runway used by the models that resembled the image of the Valencia stone.

For his Fall/Winter 2004 collection he used vivid color combination of black, red, purple, blue, pink, and beige mainly on chiffon adorned with lace and crocheted floral appliqué on the body tight silhouettes and the fluid movement of the dresses and truly screamed Spanish art.

Add to that the soundtrack used which pays homage to the rhythms of Latin America, such as Cumbia, Tango, Salsa, Merengue, Charanga, Mambo, and Conga.

Karolina Kurkova, the first model to showcase a long red dress in printed chiffon with black lace and asymmetric neckline stood with her back towards the audience and her hands clapping to one of the Latin American soundtrack used in the dark eventually followed by the spotlight set the tone for the show.

She was immediately followed by Ms. Naomi Campbell in a black satin dress with lace panels and just enough skin showing strutting down like no other model ever has. She truly looked like she was having a lot of fun with her eyes at the photographers pit as if to tease them with her almost flirty walk and moves. Let’s face it, Ms. Campbell still has what it takes and also had the audience in standing ovation.

The designer also showed a black cashmere jacket with satin trim floral appliqué over an embroidered black cashmere pants looking sexy as well as alluring with only a single button on and again just the right amount of skin showing.

Keeping the Fall/Winter theme, Carlos Miele also showed a cropped fox fur jacket over a strapless dress in purple chiffon, a fox fur shrug in azul (blue) and black, a very rich combination of brown and yellow fox fur coat as well as a light blue fox fur shrug with tan fox fur collar. Talk about dressing up for the evening and keeping warm at the same time.

The designer also showed a few selected menswear collections that can go from day to evening that is quite bold and just as handsome as the models wearing them. A collared shirt in yellow printed chiffon worn with black cashmere pants, a black sweater with sewn crease detail with black leather pants, a tie-dye suede shirt jacket over a brown cashmere knit sweater worn with black denim pants and a collard shirt in beige printed chiffon over a camel colored leather pants worn with a brown fox fur coat. Can you take it?

With Karolina Kurkova and Ms. Naomi Campbell opening the show, they also closed the show just in reverse order. Karolina Kurkova came out in a very sensual long sleeve dress in purple and beige printed chiffon and for the finale, Ms. Naomi Campbell wearing a long dress in printed chiffon with black lace bodice and satin trim floral appliqué.

What more can one ask for in a fashion show - substance, class and a great collection. Carlos Miele continues to surprise and has us wondering what to expect on his next show.

Carlos Miele

Carlos Miele

Carlos Miele

Carlos Miele

Carlos Miele