Hasta La Ideas

(Photos: UnBeige)

A fashion show at Grand Central Station? Such was the promise of the exquisite rail-themed invitation we received from Moncler, the Grenoble-founded, Milan-based company known for its heritage-inflused alpine wear and sharp eye for young design talent (Giambattista Valli designs the extraordinary Gamme Rouge line, and Thom Browne is in charge at Gamme Bleu, both of which have sent Moncler’s fashion credibility soaring). Our early arrival for Sunday evening’s presentation of the fall/winter 2011 Moncler Grenoble collection led to a prime perch on the balcony, where the curious sipped champagne above the swirl of weekend commuters and speculated about where, when, and how exactly the show would take place. The consensus was to keep looking down. A row of ski-goggle-wearing models soon appeared on the main floor, motionless in retro-hued skiwear inspired by architect, designer, and ski buff Carlo Mollino: think waterproof tweed, stretch flannel, tartan nylon, and laminated wool sweaters in warm hues of burgundy, mustard, and greenish grey. The well-insulated group slowly grew to cover the floor around Grand Central’s famous clock, and just when a few people were ready to beat a path uptown to the Tommy Hilfiger show, the spotlights switched on, the music started, and the stern-faced skiiers came to life in a fashion flash mob that eventually grew to 160 dancers (they had been rehearsing for a week, according to Moncler’s PR mavens). Enjoy:

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