(Cover) - EN Fashion - Christian Siriano received a standing ovation when he debuted his new collection at New York Fashion Week yesterday.

The winner of the fourth season of US design reality show Project Runway was one of the first to show on the opening day of the prestigious event. Christians Spring/Summer 11 range was extremely well-received by the audience, who stood to applaud him at the end of the catwalk show.

Christians collection was full of his trademark sense of drama, with leather, silk and metallic tweeds all featuring heavily. The show also included a caramel-coloured safari jacket which was paired with slim-fit white trousers, with other models strutting the runway in red silk cocktail dresses.

The finale look was a blood-red asymmetrical tulle gown that seemed to float down the runway. All the outfits were teamed with huge platform shoes.

Contestants from season eight of Project Runway also showed their collections at New Yorks Lincoln Center yesterday. Ten hopefuls shows ranges for the reality shows judges Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and guest judge Jessica Simpson.

Supermodel Heidi opened the show in a bright red pants suit, announcing that the group of designers showing were among her favourite ever contestants.

"I have never gotten so emotional or attached to the designers, she said.

Richard Chai and Vena Cava also showed new collections yesterday.

New York Fashion Week runs until September 16. It will be followed by London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks.

BCBG Max Azria, Nicole Miller and Alexander Berardi will show their Spring/Summer 11 collections today. (C) Cover Media