Dennis Basso

NEW YORK, February 9, 2007
By Laird Borrelli
Dennis Basso's presentation today was a thoroughly social affair, complete with the designer's "ladies," cocooned in their furs, clapping at their favorite looks. Basso stated that he was launching his first full ready-to-wear collection this season "because people wanted this," and he offered if not exactly a full line, a few hand-embroidered herringbone pants and micro-minidresses. The main draws, notwithstanding, were the designer's cleverly worked furs, like a sable coat in a chevron pattern, or a hand-embroidered shearling with a generous trim of cognac chinchilla that gently bobbed in step with the model.

Fall's line included many sueded minks, some featuring crafty scallops of fur, and almost all worn with embroidered leather belts. Russian broadtail jackets featured intricate embroideries. Still, you had to wonder, where were the full-on and full-length furs that keep Basso's loyal following warm and happy? Presumably, they're waiting back at the showroom for the likes Patti LaBelle, who arrived at today's presentation in a coat so plush it even managed to snag its own front-row seat.

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