John Bartlett's Equestrian Fantasy—Now Co-ed

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The Fashion Week Blizzard may have kept Cathy Horyn and Lynn Yaeger from braving the streets of the west side last night, but we sucked it up and took the plunge. Anything, really, for John Bartlett and his traditional night-before-Fashion Week show.

Freezing, boot-clad guests were treated to a champagne reception located in a vast and beautifully lit space on Hudson Street. Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen were amongst the throng. Long-time Bartlett friends and fans, van Kempen was in head-to-toe John Bartlett while McCord gushed about the designer's return to womenswear. We were told that we'll be seeing a lot of Bartlett's designs in the upcoming season of their show, Real Housewives of New York. We also spotted Matthew Sandager of New York menswear collective Loden Dager and Simon Doonan, who, warm and toasty in Burberry and Moncler, also raved about just how lovely a dude John Bartlett is. We couldn't agree more.

But down to the nitty gritty: The clothes! Presented on models of various ages and body types (yes, that was Japanese-American model Jenny Shimizu from the original 1994 CK One ads) The looks were very wearable and beautifully tailored—no surprises there. Boots, bow ties, tweeds, and turtlenecks layered under fitted oxfords gave a sort of equestrian/Victoriana vibe. Belted woolly blazers and cropped suit pants in corduroy and herringbone updated high-waisted trousers and fitted vests. Naturally, leather played a huge part—we loved the olive green leather tee shirt and the fitted leather shirt jackets on the ladies. Speaking of the ladies, the womenswear collection was slim and unfussy—shrunken and shaped signature Bartlett for those who have been clamoring for it. We wonder what McCord's already pre-ordered.
· All Fashion Week Fall 2010 coverage [Racked NY}
· John Bartlett [Official Site]