Cane in hand, hubris swallowed, Kari checks out Vivienne Tam's spring 2011 collection
After my massive fall from grace off a New York city curb, I was beyond embarrassed about hobbling up to the Vivienne Tam show at Lincoln Center with a cane and swollen ankle. Inside, the queue was miles long; my heart sank. I stood for a time, waiting, and eventually, in pain, removed myself from line. I sat down until the last of line trickled off and then teetered over to check in. “You had better hurry, they’re closing the doors,” I was advised. So I rushed as best I could with a cane in my left hand, swinging my right leg around like an unruly Chihuahua. In the nick of time, I found my seat, and moments after my lugubrious arrival the show began.
Ms. Tam started her collection with a dizzying array of bohème lace. Lace with chambray denim, lace vests over silky tops and loose pants, and lace over-lay dresses. A French chanson pulsing through the tent, the lace dissolved into busy patterns, bright prints and block colors; everything was loose and flowing with a luxurious swagger. It was a show of lightness, grace and youth. It was a slap that climbed easily up from the runway to sting in my current obtuseness. The looks seemed to fly down the runway and as quickly as it had begun, the show was over, everyone filing out in an unbridled herd.
I limped out to meet Above the Fray’s beauty editor, Lizzie Barron. She waved and with gazelle like grace that I can only envy, bounded over. Together we departed the Lincoln Center. As we descended the steps, me with my cane, and Lizzie patiently slowing her gate to accommodate my limp, I saw a few camera flashes go off. People were photographing. Surely they’re not taking our picture, I reassured myself; but there weren’t many other people about. And again, I caught a flash— It was us they’re photographing! Were they mocking me with my ugly, old-man cane? Was I the oldest young-person at the shows? What would the caption for such a photo be? I felt utterly vulnerable and ridiculous.
A few days later, I read in WWD that Andre Leon Talley, in attendance at the Costello Tagliapietra show, fell off of his corner perch. And suddenly I felt in good company. Even the best fall down from time to time.
Photos courtesy of Elle.com
