Posh wins praise at Fashion Week

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Victoria Beckham won praise with her New York Fashion Week show yesterday, and revealed she hopes to open a dress store.

The singer-turned-fashion-designer was debuting her fourth range of high-end dresses at the prestigious event, and won rave reviews for the pieces which were inspired by fictional detective Dick Tracy and dancer Martha Graham.

The range saw a move away from the structured silhouette Victoria has become famed for, with many of the pieces featuring draping. The colours ranged from bright emeralds to violets, with the 35-year-old saying she wanted to "push herself" with the pieces.

"I'm still learning and I still feel I need to prove myself; all my life I've had to prove myself. Each season, I have to better myself. I really want to grow as a designer. I hope to have a shop maybe within the next five years," she explained. "I wanted to push myself and work with structure and drapery. This grey tunic I'm wearing you can just throw on."

Although the pieces were looser than in previous seasons, many of Victoria's signature details, such as full-length zips, remained in place. The star spoke as each of her 26 dresses graced the catwalk, explaining how every one had been made and drawing attention to specific elements, such as special tucks and unusual fabrics.

"I feel the clothes express how my own personal style has evolved, more relaxed, a little more slouchy, but still structured," she added.

Victoria also drew attention to a taupe, one-shouldered gown which she plans to wear to the Academy Awards in March.

Also showing yesterday was Alexander Wang, who explained he had been inspired by a visit to Germany last year. "It's Berlin schoolboy meets velvet du jour. I wanted to capture the uptight feeling of strict suits - and then I added a gipsy element with every kind of velvet you can imagine," he said.

Among the pieces were skirts which were short at the front and long at the back, tailcoats, pinstripe slip dresses and small bustiers. Fabrics ranged from grey flannel and tweed to wool, with colours including green, red, gold and black.

Diane von Furstenberg's collection was a balancing act between male and female, with the designer admitting in her show notes that she has always aimed to live a "man's life in a woman's body".

She teamed floaty dresses with blazers, and a bolero with a wool blazer. Model Natalia Vodianova wore a lame dress, one of several times the shiny, glittery fabric hit the catwalk over the weekend.

Other designers to show on Saturday and Sunday were Prabal Gurung, Peter Som, Lacoste, Preen, DKNY, Herve Leger by Max Azria and Peter Jensen.

Naomi Campbell's Fashion For Relief/Haiti charity show took place on Saturday, with the model including a tribute to designer Alexander McQueen, who died last week.

Naomi, Helena Christensen, Karen Elson, Angela Lindvall, Heidi Mount, Sasha Pivovarova and Natasha Poly all took to the stage in iconic McQueen gowns for the finale. They were joined by McQueen's muse Daphne Guinness, who was wearing a silver catsuit he had created for her just two weeks ago.

"This is my memory of Lee. He only finished it for me two weeks ago. It was a belated birthday gift and I will always treasure it. It's probably the last piece he ever made in his life," Daphne said.

Showing at the event today are Zac Posen, Halston and Marc Jacobs.

What do you think of the collection? Would you wear it? Post your comments below.