Badgley Mischka's Casual Turn

In its fall 2008 collection, Badgley Mischka offered up an array of looks that were more casual than in seasons past and seemed geared toward a younger audience. Tweed suits, fur vests, and wool jackets, many of the 3/4-length-sleeve variety, were prevalent on the runway. Not until the latter half of the show did the black-tie evening wear, for which designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka are known, make their first appearance. But when those jewel-tone, metallic, and jet-black gowns made their way down the runway, it was all glitz and glamour. One of the designers' more ambitious looks, a gazar gown with a black sequined top and a billowing purple, floor-length skirt, stole the crowd's attention.