Williamsburg Fashion Weekend, Brooklyn, NYC.
September 14th-15th 2012
At the less corporate, more arty end of New York Fashion Week is Williamsburg Fashion Weekend. Like an NY version of London’s Fashion East and based in Brooklyn, the epicentre of New York hipsterdom, this event showcases the best, most innovative young independent fashion designers in the borough.
All the featured designers place an emphasis on ethical fashion i.e. recycling, upcycling, using artisan techniques and producing locally, so fabulous fashion and great for the environment and our future too. I knocked back a PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) the local beardeds’ drink of choice and absorbed the atmosphere in this studio/warehouse space deep in ‘Billyburg for the Spring/Summer 13 collections.
The weekend kicked off with a show by ex-costume designer Juanita Cardenas, which can only be described as glitter cupcake madness, in the best possible way. This was a riot in a sweetshop. Glitter covered models danced and body flipped down the runway. The sweetest pieces were candy covered mini dresses and cupcake shaped tops in velvet, satin and shimmering metallic stretch fabrics in a colour scheme of pastel brights. Fun cake topping inspired sparkly headpieces were literally the cherry on top and I could imagine Gaga or Nicki Minaj rocking one of these pieces.
Nathalie Kraynina’s collection was arguably the most packed and the most commercial show. This designer has previously worked for Michael Kors and Badgley Mischka and it showed in her slick designs. The collection comprised of tops, skirts, trousers, dresses and jumpsuits, all in a colour palette of blacks and greys. Kraynina’s skill as a designer lies in her elegant contrast of fabrics such as transparent and chiffon with leather, PVC and fur (fake). Unexpected details like sequin panels and cut outs in the fabric to expose sexy slivers of flesh gave the clothes a sleek and contemporary feel. The slow and deliberate way the models swayed to the eerie electronic soundscape was as if emerging from a post-apocalyptic world. The overall effect was sophisticated rock chick, very wearable but with a dark edge.
My favourite show was from RHLS (Ruffeo Hearts ‘Lil Snotty). This design duo of Maxwell Sherman and Sarah Jones make vibrant streetwear and are all about putting the fun in to fashion, a cause close to my own heart. Their SS13 collection was demented disco swimwear in a kaleidoscope of bright and neon colours and graphic cartoon prints. Cute styling touches such as neon hair partings and ghetto earrings gave the collection a sassy edge. The show featured live music from local musician pals and a diverse range of street-cast models made up of artists, musicians and performers. All the models took to the runway together to do a synchronised dance to the synth heavy Giorgio Moroder soundtrack. This gave the effect of a strange cult, albeit a fashionable one, dancing to the beat of their leaders, RHLS.
These are only a few of my personal highlights from a weekend of fabulous shows in Brooklyn. I really believe that there should be support for young creatives trying to make it in the fashion industry. It’s something I can relate to, having slogged away in London for nearly five years, doing many unpaid work placements and internships when I was starting out. So I think it’s fantastic that there is a platform like Williamsburg Fashion Weekend to showcase these young designers of the future.
See you next season, on the FROW!
Sonia xxx
Juanita Cardenas www.juanitacardenas.com
Nathalie Kraynina www.nathaliekraynina.com
RHLS www.rhls.com
