Fashion Funhouse Emporium

Sally LaPointe

Sally LaPointe, born in Massachusetts, started her line in 2009 with her roommate and now business partner Sarah Adelson. Recently her line has been picked up at hip under the radar boutiques like Oak and Convent.  This is her debut runway collection.

Colors: Opalescent, black, white, metallic

Materials: silk, vinyl, organza, "horsehair"

Loved Looks

Photos: © Dan Lecca

Photos: © Dan Lecca

Photos: © Dan Lecca

Photos: © Dan Lecca

In a fashion week that has shaped up to be a fan of minimalist fashions, Sally Lapointe's show was something to look forward to. A real show, with out of the box fashions.  Since Sally's cuts of each piece are simple, her use of distorted fabrics and textures are wearable without being too outlandish.  I loved the opalescent printed dress as well as the cuffed shorts. And of course, one can never go wrong with anything black with a funky cut.

Unloved Looks

I don't like clothing with anything reminiscent to hair or fur. To me, its the equivalent to getting someone else's hair in your salad. But that's just my own personal issue.

Considering this was not your stuffy uptown department store collection, there will be only the coolest people rocking those "horsehair" boots and pants suits. They fit in just fine with this mix of "beauty and distortion" inspired collection.

Music

Mr. Wilson DJ is one busy man during fashion week.

People and Scene

Me, taking a picture of my boyfrien's head in front of the invite, that includes the reflection of the rest of my apartment.

The tone for Sally LaPointe's show was set with these rad invitations. They remind me of the hypercolor tees that were the hotness in the 90's. This "opalescent" plastic transparent square shows different colors depending on how the light hits it.

I was running late, but the cement stairs leading up were a bit crooked and scary, almost like this stair case was chosen on purpose. As I came in the models were doing their final walk, criss-crossing and moving through the cinder block labyrinth while dry ice fogged up the place. It was a well done, on point show (no pun intended) that told the story of Lapointe's inspiration perfectly "accepting madness."

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Michael Angel

Micheal Angel, another newer face on the New York Fashion Week scene started his label with the 2008 Spring season. This city based designer was born in Australia and started off in visuals for SABA, the country's high end department store. Since then he's been gathering momentum, as a stylist and now a designer.

Colors: Gray, white, mauve, assorted colors in prints

Materials: Assorted materials including Latex

Loved Looks

Micheal Angel's cuts and inclusion of latex made it apparent that as many designers so far have played it safe, Angel was willing to take a much appreciated risk. Its hard to take a rubber material, normally associated with only fetish shops and make it wearable, but he managed to do so. The vibe of the show was as if cleaned up hip girls took over the Hamptons, in beach side gear and preppy collars. Cuts of each garment were flawless, including the rubber. I looked hard and each piece was even and well done. I loved the latex jacket over bikini bottoms.

Unloved Looks

I was a little less impressed with some of the prints. Alexander McQueen's Spring 2010 show, very much publicized makes it hard for any designer to attempt abstract patterned pieces. Overall, the show was impressive, though I would've liked to have seen a bit more variety when it came to solid or even a variation of prints, like the purple dress in the last batch of pictures above.

Music

"Fly Like a Horse" by Sylvian Chauveau and "Hand me Down Your Love by Hot Chip

People and Scene

A tent show with a cool model entry way of slanted structural columns. Overall the crowd was a subdued one, which lately Ive been liking.

To Gift or Not to Gift

No gift bags at this show.

LNA

LNA clothing was founded in 2007 by two California girls, Lauren Alexander and April Leight. The story goes like this: they were looking for the perfect t-shirt. With a focus on color, cut and material, the line naturally evolved.

Colors: Bright orange, cobalt blue, white, gray, black

Material: Cotton

Looks Loved

This season of LNA was much more back to basics and brighter than Fall's attempt at goth and over the top styling.  Since the company is founded on their staples such as tees, it was a smart decision to again present it in simple form. My favorite was the white cowl/drape neck tee paired with the long skirt. Its effortless, yet stylish. I also loved the easy gray long t-shirt dress.

Unloved Looks

Love the tee dress. The second model's pants though, not so much.

I thought one model was wearing a cod piece. I'm not trying to be snarky. I really did do a double take, zoned in and studied her crotch only to find out that it was a pair of those strange harem hybrid sweats. Designers, we can stop with those any time now.

Music

Confession time. I hit the LNA presentation on the tail end when it was winding down and most guest were upstairs ready for the after party. I was also winding down as it was my last show of the day. I forgot to even give the music a listen.

People and Scene

LNA presentations are usually a low key and anti-snobbery crowd which makes it easy to walk around, snap pictures and see the new lines. It was at Milks Studios, minus last season's structural prom-esque back drops. Just plain old white studio walls, but it went well with the basics vibe. On the back wall, three screens hung where a video installation of LNA looks filled the screen.

To Gift or Not To Gift

Guests stood around with a signature LNA tote. I arrived to late and they were all gone. Last season's bag included a gray v-neck that I lived in ever since. I would be insanely bummed to find out that there was another awesomely comfy tee in there. I still have two t-shirts from my days at In Style magazine market appointments. One has been washed so much that i re-stitched the collar.

RACHEL COMEY

Rachel Comey started off as a men's designer which strangely had a women's following. Rachel Comey launched her women's wear in 2003 and now has a distinct clan of followers.

Colors: Black, cream, white, pops of orange and blue

Materials: Chiffon, silks, cotton

Loved Looks

Photo via WWD. Click to see full collection

Photo via WWD. Click to see full collection

Photo via WWD. Click to see full collection

Rachel Comey's vibe was Sexy Little House on a Prairie with an Asian Indian vibe. On the first day of shows when some are rather blah, it was refreshing to see this splash of life. Comey's pieces are not for everyone, but the woman who buys her clothes knows who she is and brings a bohemian spirit into everyday wear. With flowing dresses that seemed a bit sari inspired to Comey's signature high waisted pants, mixing of patterns and of course her very successful and coveted bags and shoes, its apparent she knows whos she's dressing. I loved the white pieces best, a flowing ease that can be punched up with turquoise accessories or worn minimally.

Unloved Looks

Photo via WWD. Click to see full collection

None of Rachel's pieces were particularly off putting. For me personally, the black and white check sketch prints combined with a similar pattern resembling Madras was similar to Prada and an Ralph Lauren's scheme, which I could've done with out seeing again.

Music

Like last season, Rachel Comey opted for live music. The fusion of violin and drum machines by musicians Sasha Vine & Tim DeWitt solidified an exotic traveler theme.

People and Scene

Women and men alike at this show were very Rachel Comey. From a girl in a turban, short floral skirt and knee socks, to women in cropped colored wide leg pants and button downs. It was a very hip, artsy crowd, where no one looked out of place. Truly it was full of her devoted fans. The show was held at Pier 59, at Chelsea Piers. Natural finish wooden benches filled the small studio, giving it a very intimate, far away land setting.

To Gift or Not to Gift

A pregnant Rachel Comey took a bow at the end of the show. Other than that, I don't believe I saw any one getting gifts.

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I'll be cramming some new blogs here very soon. There are good things to come. September Issues, Weird Fashion Stories of August, and yes, I know Lanvin is collaborating with H&M. You can read my commentary on that soon, but that's not what I meant when I asked if there would be a Lanvin diffusion line. No. Certainly not.

Of course there will be New York Fashion Week coverage from Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Lincoln Center, Milk Studios shows, and off site as well.

For Twitter updates, you can follow the blog at Amber_Stolec. I will be adding the hash tag #ffemporium and #nyfw in case you miss anything!

For Facebook updates, Fan the Fashion Funhouse Emporium page.

Last, become Fashion Funhouse Emporium's Follower here OnSugar! Its on the right side of the page. You don't even have to leave the page, you lazy asses.

There are plenty of new faces, or at least collections I should be familiar with. I'm both scared for my feet and body with 10 hour days in heels, but I'm also excited and hope to see some spectacular designs. Lets just hope I don't hit a wall (literally) like last season.

Read Coverage from Past Seasons