Wang aims to elevate her clothes to couture

NEW YORK (AP) — There was some star wattage at the Vera Wang runway show at New York Fashion Week — and then there were celebrities.

John Legend and fiance model Chrissy Teigen, Jada Pinkett Smith and Christine Baranski were on the front row to see a fall collection that Wang described as a "personal exploration" that aimed to capture a sense of haute couture, which is top-tier, custom clothing.

She has embraced a high level of artistry for her bridal and red-carpet customers, but it was new for her ready to wear. "It was time for us to raise the bar," Wang said.

"It's going to be all about the collaging of different fabrics, different scales, different textures and different embroideries," she explained.

The first look out was a refined black wool sleeveless coat with an exaggerated arm and capelike collar that was paired with a racer-neckline shift dress. There were many daytime outfits like that: refined but unusual. They made you look twice.

Wang folded fabric like origami to create wool-silk tops, and then topped them over the chest with a silk band.

For eveningwear, if anyone could start the trend for trousers on the red carpet, it's Wang. Her finale rose-printed gray jacquard chiffon blouse and delicate evening robe worn with gray rose-printed pants with just a flash of bright orange near the waistband would be a strong contender. It had the easy glamour that Wang said she strives for.

For the traditionalist, she also offered a lovely violet sequined tank dress with a jeweled border paired with plum-colored beaded V-neck on top.

Legend said he was there to accompany Teigen, who tapped Wang for her wedding dress.

That, he said, is the dress he's really waiting for. "I'm excited to see that."

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