Images by Jenni Avins

When my friend Alistair asked me if the last show I attended was “fierce,” I was fairly certain he was making fun of me. But actually, it was, combining Old-World expertise, indulgent materials, outstanding taste and sheer gall into ferocious furs and gowns like only J. Mendel can.

Silver fox fur was sewn strip-by-strip onto a hooded vest with 24-carat gold thread. A glistening gunmetal cuff, with facets that might have been cut by a glacier, rendered a model’s delicate wrist a weapon. Yards and yards of storm-blue silk organza gathered in the front of a strapless gown like a static cloud of smoke.

So actually, Alistair, I’m so glad you asked, because J. Mendel’s F/W10 was indeed unabashedly fierce.

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