The Worth Collection Presents Its Fall/Winter 2008-09 Collection

The Worth Collection Ltd. previewed their Fall 2008 Collection at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City today.

Collection of Luxury Ready-to-Wear Combines ’60s and ’70s Style with Modern Construction and New-Tech Fabric

NEW YORK, June 26 /PRNewswire/ — The Worth Collection, one of the country’s leading luxury ready-to-wear and accessories labels, presented its Fall/Winter 2008-09 Collection today at a fashion show at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York.

Opening to a soundtrack featuring Annie Lennox singing the powerful anthem, “Sing Out Sista,” Worth’s Fall/Winter 2008-09 runway show included a total of 75 looks that comprise what may well be Worth’s best collection yet.

And that’s saying something since Worth, which designs and shows four collections per year of luxury ready-to-wear, is already one of the best-selling, high-end, ready-to-wear labels in the country. Only a select group of women currently have access to Worth, as it is sold privately at trunk shows rather than in retail stores.

Worth is renowned for its fine fabrics, many of which come from the same mills that produce fabrics for the world’s most renowned luxury fashion houses, and their fall Collection did not disappoint. Among the one-of-a-kind fabrics Worth showed for fall: an artful paisley watermark on a sophisticated puffy shrug, a micro-box quilted coat reminiscent of Alpine ski wear and a drop-dead Devore Stripe one-shouldered evening gown made from a silk burnout print that echoes the silk printing techniques that originated in Como, Italy.

But the real story may be the Collection’s emphasis on sleek, black and white, op-art clothing, which Worth sent out with models wearing sleek hair, dark aviator sunglasses, knee-high boots and leather gloves. Fashionistas are sure to devour the felt skirt and wool jacket, both of which feature Worth’s sophisticated black and white “wolf’s tooth,” a fresh and modern take on the classic hound’s tooth.

“Emma Peel is in the building,” said Diane Manley, Vice President of Design at Worth, referring to the fictional television spy played by Diana Rigg in the 1960s British adventure series, The Avengers. “She’s one of the great style icons of all time but she’s also one of the great feminist icons and we were as inspired by her intelligence, strength and wit as by her nonchalant style.”

“Always keep your bowler on in times of stress.” - Emma Peel

With kids going back to school and all the major holidays looming, fall is one of the busiest times of the year. It’s no surprise that Worth, a company founded by a woman and employing more than 1,000 women, would address that reality in their Collection. Fall/Winter was chock full of fabulous separates like a knock-out, goes-with-everything snake skin glace jacket, a fun, fringed tartan plaid skirt, and easy, sleek suiting that Manley calls “star trek suiting” that lets women get dressed at “light speed.”

“You know my wavelength.” - Emma Peel

Color continues to be a big story in fashion this fall and Worth stirred up a delicious palette of vegetable colors called “sweet potato,” “leek” and “creme.” Stand-out pieces sure to whet the appetite included a double-breasted, trench-style jacket in a ‘yam’-my shade and an oh-so-simple but elegant berry-hued dress with a wonderful neck detail that promises to be this season’s LB (for berry) D.

 ”Now take me to your leader.” - Emma Peel

Worth has always run to the feminine and assertive and, this season, they played heavily on the masculine/feminine aesthetic with sexy and bossy suiting and separates. Highlights included slick patent leather jackets, mix–it-up wool and tweed separates including a pair of Donegal tweed pants that are the definition of masculine/feminine chic. “They’re very Marlene Dietrich meets Gary Cooper,” says Manley.

“Would you like a drink?” - Emma Peel

In addition to the sensational Devore striped gown, evening highlights included a white button-down shirt with balloon sleeves (so French!) paired with a to-the-floor, inky blue taffeta skirt and a stunning black organza bolero that looked so light and airy that the model appeared to be floating down the runway.

“You diabolical mastermind, you!” - Emma Peel

Worth’s accessories continue to excel and, this Fall, they are showing slick, no-nonsense patent leather belts that cinch otherwise soft silhouettes and clutches and satchels in vegetable soup neutrals that add wit and charm. Their Amanda satchel in leek patent leather and ladylike zebra Jackie tote promise to be “it” bags this season. Square scarves twisted and tied in all kinds of fresh, modern ways made the old square scarf look new again. And it’s clear that costume jewelry is back with wood, tortoise, variegated metal and resin making the jewelry look for fall decidedly brash and unexpected.

“I’ve always rather fancied myself in one of these.” - Emma Peel

Pieces from Worth’s Fall/Winter 2008-09 Collection, which range in retail price from $200 to $1500, will be available at trunk shows nationwide beginning on July 1. To attend a Worth trunk show, call 1-800-967-8465 or visit worthny.com.

High-resolution images from the show and samples are available upon request.