Register
Back to List

Appropriately American

September 20th, 2008 in fashion
AlexSudalnik Alex Sudalnik, contributor
Love it! no recommendations
Ralph Lauren Spring 2009.
Marc Jacobs Spring 2009.
A model exiting from the catwalk.
Marc Jacobs Spring 2009.
Proenza Schouler Spring 2009.
Rodarte Spring 2009.
A view inside the tents at Bryant Park.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Add CommentAdd Comment
Email to a FriendEmail to a Friend
PrintPrint
Share

Well...it's over.

New York Fashion Week has come and gone. I can't say that it was an exciting week, but it was a good start to the month of fashion shows that will be displaying designer collections for Spring 2009. First New York, then London, Milan (watch for Prada), and finally Paris (the best of all).

Some of the collections that I found interesting were Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, and Ralph Lauren. Mr. Jacobs showed an Americana-influenced collection, mixing prints, metallics, stripes, and shadow plaids in layered looks reminiscent of the 1930s–40s. 

Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler's collection showed a lot of shoulder emphasis as well as loose, baggy harem pants. Inspired by 1940s factory workers, it had a modern look and used interesting tailoring.

Star Wars was the impetus for Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte. I really enjoyed their knitwear pieces—thin thread knit at a loose tension—as well as the pieces of sliced leather made to look like ribcages. I'd really like to see what they could do with a change in their silhouette from the last three seasons. 

Ralph Lauren showed a luxurious Moroccan/1930s-inspired collection. The fabrics were exquisite as well as Philip Traecy's beautiful head-wraps and turbans. I would love to see Mr. Lauren create a more modern silhouette using cut and shape rather than upping the luxury quotient on established staples like the leather bomber, button-up shirt, and blouson pants.

While keeping up with the shows, I also volunteered at the Duckie Brown menswear show. There were some really interesting pieces, like a sweatshirt made entirely of embroidery as well as jackets and pants that were sewn with panels of perforated fabric. It was interesting to see the entire fashion show process from the organizing of the backstage area, preparation of models, dressing the models, and then finally seeing the end result on the catwalk.

Looking forward I can't wait for the Paris shows. There's such a difference in the style and presentation of the clothing, models, accessories, and catwalk. The attention to creating the complete vision is something I feel European design stresses much more than American. It might also be the clichéd "exoticism" of Europe. It's really amazing.

Follow the shows at style.com and see if you can spot what I'm talking about.

 

posted in: fashion
Add CommentAdd Comment Email to a FriendEmail PrintPrint

Comments (1)

claycreations writes: I am so glad I joined this site, you are so lucky to witness fashion week, I would luv to see the paris shows someday I hope, I checked out style.com and there were some interesting pieces, but I have a question (ANYBODY), ARE THERE REALLY ANY NEW DESIGNS ANYMORE? SPECIALLY FOR EVERYDAY WEAR? while there are 2 or 3 interesting pieces in a collection, it just seems like the REMAKE in different fabrics, otherwise it's stuff you would see in sci-fi movies, and it seems in America NOW every tom,dick, and harry is calling themselves designers and present crap at fashion week, this is why Paris is about REAL designers, long ago Fashion week in NY was with real designers, now well anyone can call themselves a designer and be in Fashion week, ok, I said it, I really will be looking for you post on Paris fashion, I can't wait, thanks Ruby Posted: 7:05 pm on September 20th
You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.