NEW YORK: Fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez s spring 2009 collection will be full of joy, based on an anti-stress formula that aims to inspire feelings of optimism amid economic crises and war. When the economy is so bad and with the horrible things happening all around the world, one gets inspired to create a certain kind of beauty, Rodriguez told The Associated Press in a recent telephone interview. The Cuban-American designer s new collection will be presented next month during New York s Fashion Week. Known for elegant structured garments that have attracted stars including Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Connelly, Salma Hayek, Jessica Alba and Charlize Theron, Rodriguez said he is now trying his hand at much softer designs. It s about a simpler kind of beauty ... that is different for me because I am investigating a softer construction, Rodriguez said. The 46-year-old designer, who is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his label, said the piece that characterizes his creations is a classic: a sexy, cinched dress with a zipper on the back and a not-so-deep neckline. First of all, it s all about the woman, how she looks and feels in a dress ... and that she feels sexy, he said. It must be a dress a woman feels good in. Rodriguez said that when designing he first thinks about what a woman would like. The materials, colors are secondary. Born in New Jersey to Cuban parents, Rodriguez first stepped into the world of fashion at Parsons, the New School for Design in New York City. Initially, he worked designing casual women s wear next to Anne Klein, Donna Karan and Calvin Klein. Rodriguez presented his first collection in Milan in 1997, after working for luxury clothing brand Loewe. The designer, who was recognized with the Special Achievement in Fashion award during last week s ALMA Awards, said he is not a trend-follower or someone looking for the next season s it item. I m much more interested in things that stay in the closet for a long time than the ones that arrive this year and are disposed of in the next, Rodriguez said. Those are the kind of pieces I like to create. I am interested in things that last.
