Dennis Basso pays tribute to the 'it girls' of the past

Designer Dennis Basso harkened back to the glamour of New York "It Girls" of yesteryear for his new collection, drawing on late socialites Pat Buckley, C.Z. Guest and Nan Kempner. "I wanted this season to actually celebrate New York City and New York City nights," he said.

Basso showed off his latest collection on the Upper East Side. The collection focuses on evening wear but also includes looks suited to special daytime occasions. He reminisced about the now-closed 21 and Le Cirque and said he sees more women getting dressed up, with his eye on "strong, sophisticated women." "People are out and about," he added.

"I feel that there are so many places that when you look, where you go out, people are dressed up." Basso, who has dressed Martha Stewart, Liza Minnelli, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige and Carol Alt, may have pieces appear on the red carpet during the press tour for the new "Devil Wears Prada" sequel, with a stylist having pulled looks for Meryl Streep to possibly choose.

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