Fashion Funhouse Emporium

New York Fashion Week: Fall 2010

Designer: Mik Cire by Eric Kim

I haven't been to any of the men's shows at New York fashion week, but that doesn't mean I didn't want to. I stumbled upon this one in my inbox and I'm glad I did.

Eric Kim is the former designer of the brand Monarchy, a contemporary men's and women's clothing line with a cult following. In his new men's label, he takes his eye for the rock casual style men a step further.

Colors

Black, slate gray, olive, taupe

Looks Loved

Remember when I did this post about Clint Eastwood's clothing line?  Scarves that cover the face, leather belts to whip your ass with?  Well, Mik Cire comes pretty close to my vision of what Clint's design aesthetic would be.  I loved the leather holsters on the guys legs (I think they are called spats?) There's something always sexy about suspenders, that is if they are leather and/or thin.  The super high lace up boots and long wool jackets paired with scarves had a wild west vibe mixed with a slight rock star twist. Even the coats had minor details which made them interesting, like off center buttons.

Photos courtesy of Mao PR and via coutortue. Click to see the full collection

Unloved Looks

There were two ginormous man bags that went down the runway. I thought to myself, that bag needs wheels.  If you're going to carry a bag that large it's gonna be heavy. Also, the way Eric Kim mixed the letters in his name to form "MIK CIRE" bothered me.  I like simply "Eric Kim." It has a nice ring.

Music:

A mash up of Nu Disco and other dance beats including Pheonix, Kid Cuddi, Empire of the Sun, Madcon and even Common.

People and Scene

If you like to see the an old fashioned eccentric fashion flock, then this was the place to be. Phillipe Blond was dressed in a body suit and wore a black leather croc majorette style hat.  A girl across the tents rolled in with a massive feather sticking off the top of her head. These are the people you wish you had the guts to dress like.

Eric Kim ended the show by walking down the runway with his baby.  The crowd roared, partly because of the excellent show and mostly because who can resist this kind of cuteness?

Photo courtesy of Mao PR/Eric Kim

To Gift or Not to Gift

There was a copy of the Daily on the seat which doesn't count as swag. Especially since I already had three of the same in my bag because I feel bad for the girls handing the copies out.

A Note from the Designer

On his card that listed the credits and sponsors, Eric Kim printed this note: "Every season, I will be connecting a charity to my brand.  This season, I would like all of you to please visit: www.takepart.com/thecove Please help me raise awareness about the savage and brutal slaying of dolphins in Taiji, Japan!!! - Eric Kim"

New York Fashion Week: Fall 2010

Designer: Rachel Comey

Launched almost ten years ago, Rachel Comey started out designing menswear only.  I'm glad she decided to venture into women's wear. Comey is not a household name as of yet, but has a loyal indie following due to her off-beat original designs and trendsetting well-made shoes.

This collection was a vibe of Annie Hall meets Faye Dunnaway in Network with a dash of Hells Angels, but if they were seen through the eyes of a tripping hippie. I don't mean that in a bad way. It was imaginative, fun and original.

Colors

Oranges, blues, forest greens, browns and blacks

Looks Loved

I don't know if the shoes were a combination of a leather "sock" or if the leather was fitted to look as such and connected to the shoes, but retail buyers take note, I want them so place an order now!  I also loved the printed jeans, but would leave them to an editorial shoot or a much more adventurous dresser.  I have a thing for mixed mis-matched patterns together and Comey does this well.

Photos: The Envy- To see the entire collection, click here

Unloved Looks

The swirled, multi-colored velvet pattern skirt read 50 something year old bohemian art professor to me.  Even the extraordinarily tall, young models had a hard time pulling off these looks.

Music

Hex Message, a live band played in the center of what looked like an unfinished loft space.  In the beginning their experimental instrumental chiming and drumming was charming. By the end of the show, the gradual crescendo of piercing keyboards and guitar shrieks were distracting. It was like when someone trips a car alarm outside your bedroom window. At first you think, meh. Then as it goes on and on you contemplate chucking the closest thing in your reach at it.

People and Scene

The show was held in an art building, on a floor that was not built out completely, which was great in terms of spaciousness. I set my bag down, only to notice it was covered in white dust. The Hex Message rocked out in the center of the room.

While there was enough footage for the models to walk the entire room, there was an odd three bench only seating. If you got there late, you stood. If you got there early, like I did, you planted your butt on a bench. Jealous? Oh you know you are! Really though, the venue was so large anyone who was anywhere in the room should've been able to see all the looks with ease.

There were some complainers.  One editor complained "This is sooo stupid?  Why did they do this? Im going to make them give me a seat." I didn't mind at all though. I was so close to the clothes that I could see all the fabrics and details.

To Gift or Not to Gift

There were no swag bags here, though I was hoping for a lint roller to clean off my bag.

New York Fashion Week: Fall 2010

Designer: LNA

About two years ago, an editor at a magazine gave me an LNA scoop neck tee. It was the softest, slinkiest, most comfortable t-shirt I've ever worn. I was hooked.

The line was founded by California natives Lauren Alexander and April Leight on quest to design the perfect t-shirt that fit, in versatile colors and of course quality cotton.  They succeeded.  Since then, they've been expanding their line to bottoms, jackets and even dresses.

Colors

Basic Black, Heather Gray and White

Looks Loved

I loved the basic black and white stripe dress with a a leather jacket thrown over top as seen on the blond model. The gray tee dress looked so comfortable that I wanted to steal it off the model and run.The guys hoodie and black biker jacket, tough but not too involved which is how I like men to dress.

Unloved Looks

Can we please end this trend of MC hammer, carrying a load style  pants?  Love the jacket, hate the pants.  Im also not a fan of the black crop garbage bag looking top over the gray dress in the pic above. It looks strange, but not in a good way.

Music

The Fall collection was inspired by the music industry's bad ass front women like Alison Mosshart of The Kills & The Dead, io of Lo Echo, Natasha Khan of Bat for Lashes and of course, the original unisex rock n' roll uniform creator, Ms. Patti Smith.

LNA held an after-party at Milk Studios with a live performance by Smith.  I was invited. My name was on the list, however, when I got to the studio, the line  just to check in stretched almost a block.  About  10 people cut in front of me in line "to meet their friends" after I've been waiting about 15 minutes. I decided with the temperature being 20 degrees that I would call it a night.  I'd been out all day at shows. Though, I'm a Patti Smith fan and would've loved to check it out, I'm not big into scenes that seem like a velvet rope event --though there were metal police barracades rather than rope. Still.  That's just me, personally. Thats how it goes at these things and thanks for the invite!

People and Scene

The presentation was held in a studio at Milk.  It was easy come, easy go which I prefer over nutty huge productions.  There were some fashion types standing around chatting, then there were some people who just came in, snapped some shots and left.

The "stages" reminded me of decorations put up by the high school prom committee: cardboard, tissue paper and metal, made to seem goth?  I think this was probably the intention of the art crew.  I think?  Rock, rock, rock n' roll high school!

To Gift or Not to Gift

I'm voting this gift bag the best yet! The black cotton LNA bag was stuffed with Bumble and Bumble donated shampoo and conditioner in full size bottles, a cd from a band called Metric (which I haven't listened to yet) a product called Inodorous that is fabric refresher with no scent, and last, one of my favorite v-neck LNA heather gray t-shirts.

New York Fashion Week: Fall 2010

Designer: BCBG

The BCBG label and designer, Max Azria, are fashion industry veterans when it comes to designing for the contemporary market.  Its accessible and its quality.  They know who they design for.

Check out their blog to learn more of  what it took to put on the show.

BCBG was the only designer to send me an invitation that was actually addressed to my blog's ridiculous name: Fashion Funhouse Emporium.  I laughed when I saw it.  Though, I was disappointed that when I got to the show, I was not on the list even though I sent in my RSVP of "Yes"

Just as well, I viewed the show from "the cheap seats" and even got to scope out the crowd.

Colors

Khakis, greys, dark blues with a block of yellow or two.

Loved Looks

Like Spring, BCBG continued with the clean, simple looks.  While I wasn't blown away by any one particular piece, I appreciate the aesthetic.  BCBG is not about creating crazy new trends, but rather, creating simple staple pieces that can be styled to suit the wearer.

Images via coutorture-click to see entire collection

Unloved Looks

There were no looks I particularly didn't like.  I personally don't like yellow, but that's not valid criticism.  It is what it is with BCBG. When you head to a show, you expect billowing silk and day to night dress up.  That's what they gave us. Yes, BCBG is a stable, comfortable, old married couple.

Music

Oh Shazammmmmm, why are you doing this to me?  Again, my app couldn't identify the song that was playing.. My blog's music section stinks! I will tell you though, it was a male singer...sort of folksy but with dance beat.

People and Scene

The Vogue team and Anna Wintour sat front row. Michele Williams was there apparently.  If you look way up in the crowd you might see me. It was a huge production in the Bryant Park Tents with the typical runway for this type of set up- a rectangle around the crowd.

To Gift or Not to Gift

I don't know.  There's no gifting for the standing crowd or anyone past the first three rows. It is what it is, indeed.