He is charming, there’s no doubt about that, but there comes a time in a designer’s career when there has to be more than hype. Christian Siriano has reached that point.

He’s demonstrated that he is capable of fancy needlework and styling. He needs to now focus on the clothes and get rid of the gimmicks. The hats have to go, and not everything needs a ruffle. For example, his spring collection contained a lovely lavender trench coatm which was really pretty, except for the odd ruffle on the forearm. As one widely respected writer put it, “he needs to work for someone else,” to see how creating really works.

And his shoes, which were furnished by businesss partner Payless, were an accident waiting to happen. With heels like horns and heavy uppers, they were a disaster next to his delicate pieces. We are afraid of who may want to wear these bondage/torture devices.