Malan Breton Enchants Crowd with Spring 2010 Collection

On Monday, September 14, designer Malan Breton presented his Spring 2010 collection at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. The collection contained his label's first menswear pieces in addition to the womenswear he is known for.

Breton, who competed on the third season of Project Runway, had front-row support from fellow Runway alums Diana Eng (Season Two) and Terri Stevens (Season Five). Holly Kiser and Ronnie Kroell (Make Me a Supermodel, Season One) made appearances on the runway. Style expert Nolé Marin, Real Housewives of New York City's Alex McCord, and TV correspondent Maria Menounos were also in attendance.

Inspired by his childhood dance background, Breton had previously described wanting his show "to feel like a night at the Hollywood Bowl or the Met, a night at the ballet." On this count, he delivered. The 30-piece orchestra, courtesy of the Chelsea Symphony, set the tone for the event, which was built around romance and luxury. The refined collection of suits, dresses, and separates was elegantly sumptuous in lace, silk, and tuille. The palette was mostly soft pastels and nudes, with the occasional pop of bright red and blue.

Halfway through the program, the audience members were treated to a taste of the ballet when a male dancer twirled his way up and down the runway to their surprised delight; a female dancer closed the show on a final graceful note.

The post-show buzz was overwhelmingly positive. Despite being pulled in all directions, from reporter to reporter and from friend to friend, Breton seemed endlessly patient and deeply appreciative of everyone's kind words.

Amid the swarm of activity, he graciously granted a brief moment to Chic Galleria. "I started in menswear; I used to make my own clothes," he explained. "So I kind of took my mental vision into womenswear and I just sort of rolled it back around this time for the men." Regarding his future designs, he laughed coyly. "I kind of like to surprise people!"

To keep up with him as he continues his creative journey, visit www.malanbreton.com. 

Pictured: Lana fresca in poppy three-piece suit with cotton dress shirt; nude tank dress with nude camisole in silk with nude and gold hooded kimono sleeved jacket. Photos courtesy of Malan Breton.