Cushnie et Ochs Fall 2012: Dark and Zip-Driven

2:00 PM, February 11 2012

By Elana Fishman

The Scene: Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs stuck close to their comfort zone of vampy (but never vulgar) cutouts and body-conscious cocktail frocks for fall. But interestingly, hesitant as the pair might seem to drastically evolve this aesthetic, their show's front-rowers included both Jenna Lyons and Barneys' Amanda Brooks—both of whom famously favor less overtly-sexy, more uptown-geared looks. Clearly, even the preppier set longs for a vampy bustier every so often.

The Look: Plenty of Ochs' and Cushnie's fan favorites, from zip-front tight-as-a-glove party dresses to decolletage-framing cutouts. The real story here involved zippers—not only as a closure, but as a trim. Everything from slipdress straps to curving seams to the models' patent pumps was edged in shiny silver zippers. Most of the time, it worked—particularly when single zips outlined a frock's bodice—though some looks were a little too hardware-happy.

Pieces We Want: We think Cushnie et Ochs' greatest hits are always the duo's LBDs with a twist. To that end, one with sculptural winged shoulder pads and another with curved cutouts right above the bust really spoke to us.