NEW YORK (AP) – If designer Richard Tyler has his way, everyone will be dressing like chic flight attendants next fall. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The Los Angeles-based Tyler used his runway show, held Friday as part of New York Fashion Week, as a showcase for the uniforms he’s designed for Delta Air Lines.

Some of the fashion editors and retailers in the audience at first might have had difficulty making the connection between uniforms and the styles that will set the trends for fall, but the taffeta wrap dresses, black reversible hooded coat and double-breasted dress in navy stretch wool made believers out of many.

In fact, it was difficult to tell whether some outfits, such as a red satin pantsuit, were part of the Delta line or Tyler’s couture eveningwear collection, which shared the catwalk.

Tyler, who dressed two “Desperate Housewives” stars at the Golden Globes, had said earlier in the week that he hoped Hollywood stylists would take note of his gowns as they scouted Oscar-worthy styles. An off-the-shoulder amber silk chiffon jersey gown and a brown silk jersey strapless gown with a keyhole cutout on the bodice would be likely candidates for a well-dressed star on the red carpet, as would a champagne-colored asymmetric gown with strategically placed sheer panels and a silver organza strapless dress with tiered vertical panels.

Meanwhile, Joseph Abboud, who has put TV journalists and sports stars in his tailored clothes for years, seemed to be reaching out to a younger clientele with a collection that included a relaxed navy chalk stripe suit worn with the sleeves rolled and trousers wrinkled (a la “Miami Vice”) and wool jackets worn inside out to show off paisley and plaid linings.

Abboud also showed a casual denim suit, a pair of luxe tobacco deerskin cargo pants and a black sculpted corduroy blazer that looked as soft – and sophisticated – as velvet.

In a statement, Abboud explained he aimed for complementary contradictions, “dressy with casual, rugged with urbane, and old world with techno hip.”

He said that while his new silhouettes were relaxed, the overall fit of his new collection was body-conscious. Fabrics were softened and distressed with organic finishes so they’d appear to have worn gracefully.

Olympus Fashion Week continues through Friday, with Diane von Furstenberg and Luca Luca on the schedule for Sunday, and Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs on tap for Monday. Jennifer Lopez debuts a new collection intended for a more sophisticated audience than her trendy J.Lo line on Friday.

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