Supermodel Carolyn Murphy, 39, opens for First Lady favourite Jason Wu... But dazzling finale gown steals the show

By Tamara Abraham and Associated Press

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Carolyn Murphy may be about twice the age of many of her catwalk peers, but she proved that she can still rule the catwalk as she opened the Jason Wu show at New York Fashion Week today.

Wearing a leather sheath with cutaway sections revealing sheer black lace beneath, the supermodel, 39, looked sensational.

For the starlets and editors in the front row, however, that was only the beginning.

Walking the walk: Supermodel Carolyn Murphy, 39, shows her younger peers how it's done at the end of the Jason Wu show at New York Fashion Week today

Walking the walk: Supermodel Carolyn Murphy, 39, shows her younger peers how it's done at the end of the Jason Wu show at New York Fashion Week today

Jason Wu
Jason Wu

Showstopping: The finale gown, a shimmering navy harness, cascading into sheer tulle layers, was a highlight

Anna Wintour, Tyson Beckford, Emily Mortimer and Harley Viera-Newton saw a sexy and sophisticated offering that paid tribute to the photography of Helmut Newton and Lillian Basman.

 

The showstopper, however, was a navy silk tulle harness gown with dazzling embroidery.

Describing the two influences, Wu, 29, explained that he wanted to marry the softness of Basman's aesthetic with the hard sexiness of Newton.

Jason Wu
Jason Wu
Jason Wu

Keeping it lively: Lace insets, bra tops, sheer fabrics and sharp tuxedos turned into shorts hit the catwalk

'I wanted to make a collection that... just teetered on that line of sexy but still sophisticated,' said Wu

'I wanted to make a collection that... just teetered on that line of sexy but still sophisticated,' said Wu

Jason Wu
Jason Wu

Style influence: Fashion designer Jason Wu explained that he wanted to marry the softness of Basman's aesthetic with the hard sexiness of Newton

He told the Washington Post: 'It's two completely different styles.

'One’s quite beautiful, couture and the other is quite provocative and sexy and I love the idea of those two coming together a softness and a hardness coming together and I wanted to make a collection that sort of balanced, just teetered on that line of sexy but still sophisticated.'

He certainly achieved that, with lace insets, bra tops, sheer fabrics and sharp tuxedos turned into shorts kept lively what were really refined, classic silhouettes.

Anna Wintour
Tyson Beckford

Star turnout: Anna Wintour (left) and Tyson Beckford (right) took to the front row at Wu's show

Fashionable trio: Taissa Farmiga, from left, Emily Mortimer and Harley Viera-Newton

Fashionable trio: Taissa Farmiga, from left, Emily Mortimer and Harley Viera-Newton

A harness - this theme was particularly Newton-inspired - topped a white-lace embroidered shirt worn with black croc shorts.

Another appeared over a coral pink lace sheath that also got a little bounce from a peplum. That same shot of colour appeared again on a lace T-shirt teamed with leather pants.

Of course one would imagine that Michelle Obama, who propelled Wu to hot-ticket status after she wore his gown to the 2008 inauguration, would wear the black-and-white 'ghost print' satin sheath sans leather hardware.

Take a bow: Jason Wu acknowledges applaues at the end of the show

Take a bow: Jason Wu acknowledges applaues at the end of the show

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

Carolyn Murphy looks like she OWNS that dress walking down the runway, whereas the other younger models merely look like vacuous dress hangers.

Click to rate     Rating   (0)

Beautiful Designs...

Click to rate     Rating   13

Different websites give different years for her birth.....take your pick twixt '73 and '75!

Click to rate     Rating   3

@ lightsaber~~~~~~~~~~~ Actually, you are wrong. She was born August 11, 1973, therefore she is 39. And she looks amazing for 39 or 37. Chill, man.

Click to rate     Rating   15

More deja vu's. How many designers actually come up with something new and original these days ?

Click to rate     Rating   3

What a talented designer. Very smart of him to use a 39 year old model - extra publicity. Carolyn Murphy looks fantastic. What a stunning woman and an amazing figure.

Click to rate     Rating   41

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.

Click to rate     Rating   31

Taissa Farmiga made an effort then, NOT!

Click to rate     Rating   15

She was born in 1975 and she is 37 years old - not 39. Bet she loves you for that one DM!

Click to rate     Rating   19

Well, if you're gonna put her out to pasture - my stable is available ;-)

Click to rate     Rating   21

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