Janet Jackson in front of Siriano’s Glam Fashion Week show

“I was watching the girls practice and I was like, oh my God, imagine Elizabeth Taylor in her heels walking up these marble steps. How wonderful. It’s great to be here,” Siriano said.

Taylor lived for many years in a 1950s Michael Todd-era six-story, French Renaissance Revival townhouse downtown. It is now an art space.

Siriano’s collection fits perfectly between the long winding stairs walked by his models. Everything was small as he adjusted his business model to a timeless approach. He says luxury is what his customers want.

A wide range of hats stole the show in black, royal blue and bright red. There was a lot of sparkle and asymmetric oversized ruffled bell sleeves on a high neck white dress. One sleeve starts at the shoulder and the other at the elbow.

Among his trademark show-stoppers was a baby blue dress for the dress with a black spaghetti strap top with a cut-out waist and long black gloves to match. A long sleeved golden robe adorned with a riot of gold and narrow chains on the other.

“This show is really a return to glamor,” Siriano said. “I really wanted this. Especially now that my clients are looking for that. They were imprisoned for a long time. It’s like, what can I wear that’s the most unusual, wonderful thing?”

Siriano was one of the few designers who did not give up on the runways during the darkest months of the pandemic.

He’s worn them all, from Jackson herself to a strong A-list fan base (she shouted him out on Instagram) to Cardi B, Lizo, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.

“I’ve wanted to dress Janet my whole life,” Siriano said. “She was something I looked up to growing up. She was.”

When he tells his mother, who often attends his shows, that Jackson is going to be weird, she replies, “Wow, that’s it. I don’t even need to come.”

So what’s a designer to do when they cross off the bucket list?

“Janet and Madonna were big on my bucket list and I had to do some things,” Siriano said. “Now I’m very excited about all the new Hollywood stars. I got to dress Sidney Sweeney twice and I think she is the most amazing actress ever.

He’s suited up for Monday’s Emmy Awards, but it was his mother who really got him dressed. He offered one tidbit: candidate Laura Linney for sure.

“It’s a good list,” Siriano said, “but I can’t tell until I see them on the mat.”

Follow Liane Italie on Twitter at http://twitter.com/litalie