The promotional video for PatBO's NYFW Fall 2023 show at the Atrium at Surrogate's Court in Manhatten fantastically teased what fashion lovers were to expect. A montage captured close-ups of artists' hands expertly twirling sequins and tacking lace, all of which emphasized how much Founder and Creative Director Patricia Bonaldi loves sewing and the patient artistry behind making one-of-a-kind garments.
Her love is easy to understand. As a child, in Uberlandia, Brazil, money was tight and so, to economize, her mother taught her to sew. From there - after a brief detour into studying law - she launched her eponymous label of couture evening wear in São Paolo, Brazil.
Before Saturday's show even began, country mega-watt star Kelsea Ballerini was a one-woman red hot prologue, flaunting her PatBO's sequined wide-leg pants and blazer on the streets of New York City. The singer's social media posts show her strutting in queen-of-hearts-crimson, a fashionista with a serious designer crush.
The bejeweled show was perfectly at home amid the beaux-art architecture and skylight of a building that dates to 1907. Once the show began, it was hard not to think about Selena Quintanilla's famous sequined bras upon seeing the hand-beaded bralette that was paired with sequined cargo pants. The look was altered when the jeweled bralette was matched with a mini-dress, which, thanks to the delicate artistry, took fifteen days to make.
There was an unabashed showgirl embrace to the amethyst sequined mock top and mermaid skirt with a long slit up the front. The bright purple also appeared in a sequined mini dress with a sweetheart neckline sculpted from purple illusion tulle so that it looked like the beads dewed the skin. Sans sequins, the violet pointed bralette was made from silky crepe fabric.
Illusion tulle fabric was also used on the hand-beaded mock neck top that was paired with sequined cargo pants.
Channeling an Ibiza vibe, the daydreamer beaded tulle bodysuit and hand-embroidered bralette paired with the matching jacket induced February daydreams about islands and beaches.
Aside from tulle, peacock-blue velvet added to the sumptuousness of the runway. Whether it was in the form of a bandeau top or a stardust maxi dress made from glitter knit fabric and lace, the dazzle was there, even when subtle.
Toned-gold crystal bedazzled bright butterscotch velvet blazers and pants.
Regardless if the costumes were black lace cinched at the waist, white tulle creating a snowy effect or sherbert-colored ombre crystal, everything on the PatBO runway was handmade, a luxury that was evident in every stitch and sparkle.
In addition to Ballerini, other celebs in attendance were Candace Bushnell, Elizabeth Gillies, Mary Lawless Lee and Serena Goh.
~ By Erin Moonyeen Haley
All images courtesy of PatBO
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