Okay, so, when I hear the word velvet I am quickly reminded of the somewhat hideous red, black and dark emerald green holiday outfits that my mom dressed me in, as I forced a questionably genuine smile at the ‘Holiday Greeting Card’ photographer. As I look back on those fashionably flawed moments now, I really have to challenge my mother’s fashion ‘game,’ but I guess I can’t blame her..velvet was IN then, and she had to have her two girls dressed in the trendiest digs. Now, about 16 years later, I’ll use the same logic…what is IN now? Velvet. And it has made a stunning and surprising (for some) revival in the year 2010. This spring we saw a surge of prints and lots of vibrant, fun and flirty colors–for the fall, the fashion world is turning down the bright and turning up the sleekness and sophistication with a more tamed and demure color palette. Alexander Wang, Zac Posen, and Ralph Lauren all wowed NYC runways with their vivacious velvet designs for Fall 2010. While the velvet fabric is the same as it was in 1993, the style is completely re-imagined. Lace detailing over the velvet gives it more texture and improves the overall aesthetic from boring to edgy and severely sexy. Manipulating the velvet with slits, pleating, draping and asymmetrical cuts has given velvet much more personality, flair and couture credibility. Our client, Sherri Hill, is no exception to this velvet phenomenon–her collection has been touched by velvet in the form of long, classic evening gowns or sweet and sassy party dresses–both of which would be IDEAL for the holidays. Afraid of a little too much velvet? I might be… But we’re in luck – Sherri Hill offers a bunch of dresses with simple velvet accents that look great and aren’t overwhelming! I might even take one of her velvet-less dresses and punch it up with a velvet headband, clutch or bow! Velvet reconsideration? YES.