Fashion Funhouse Emporium

Libertine

This is the second season back for Libertine with Jonhson Hartig flying solo. Harting founded his own line in 2000.  In 2001 after meeting Cindy Greene through mutual friends, she sent him a shirt with graphics. The shirt generated much interest with party-goers. So of course the next step was collaboration. Hartig reconstructed the clothes while Greene did the silk-screen prints. The duo soon found themselves the new cool kids of design with write-ups in everything from Domino and Time to Vogue both American and International editions.  The CFDA finalists snagged one of Target's first designer collaborations and the high-end line was sold in elite department stores around the world.  In 2009, Greene left to pursue other creative endeavors. After a brief hiatus, Hartig's vision of Libertine is selling in stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Harvey Nichols after a crowd pleasing Fall 2011 color graphic collection.

Colors: Black, white, cream, ivory, blue

Materials: Recycled

Loved Looks:

View full collection on nymag.com

One could argue that since Libertine revamps and alters found clothing that its not fashion design in the traditional sense. Though what is captivating about each look is the placement and the mix of graphics. While some of these re-dos are not for the meek, the pieces are eye candy. It was hard to stop examining as the models passed. Vintage clothing is a canvas for Hartig and the spring presentation was a far more themed and cohesive than those of the past excluding Fall 2011. Only a unique and exclusive clientele has access to the graffiti circle suit and painted silk printed dress. Its worked in the past for Libertine.

Unloved Looks:

For those expecting a completely different collection than Fall 2011 may be disappointed. There were a few people in the front row that didn't crack a smile when the "Tax the Rich More" tee came down the catwalk. I guess the humor depends on which way you lean on the political pendulum.

People, Music and Scene:

Fleetwood Mac remixed to a dance beat played while models did spins, high-fived and danced down the runway. And they had smiles. Models were smiling, people! Drinks were served in this low key Exit Art venue courtesy of Skyy Vodka and Lorenza Rose. Benches surrounded the runway for those of us whose feet needed a rest after hiking all the way to 10th Avenue. This presentation combined the excitement of runway and the no bull aspects of a presentation.

Rating:

Two and a Quarter Karl Lagerfelds out of Four

MANDY COON

Mandy Coon was one half of the duo Two Mandy DJ's. It figures that a club personality had her foot in fashion. After all, you can see  a lot up there in the DJ booth.  After assisting Camilla Staerk, Mandy Coon took a chance on her own and debuted her own line for Spring 10.  Two years later, shes earned a spots on Style.com and is ever evolving with her edgy, downtown designs.

Colors: Black, white, pops of bright yellow and cobalt blue

Materials: Silk, leather

Loved Looks:

View Full Collection on Style.com

As a designer, Mandy Coon keeps evolving for the better. While she hasn't worked much with color in the past, she used it wisely and included it in her collection as if she felt completely at ease. Personally, yellow seems to work best on dark skin tones, so this blogger would stay far, far away from it. Though the cobalt blue silk tops and accents brought an additional interesting element while still keeping within Mandy Coon's downtown chic. A skort made its way in there, but in a good way for the city girl on the go who doesn't want a pervy guy under the subway stairs peering at the goods. Though at times I notice a few fit issues and hanging threads (but that's my job and I may be one of the few who noticed), no doubt her line will be perfected and ready to go for buyers. And we surely hope to see more Mandy Coon on the racks of more boutiques soon.

Unloved Looks

A look or two was over-worked. A perfect pair of leather pants included a sheer black or blue panel. Minus one element and Mandy Coon would've achieved pure Spring 2012 perfection.

People, Scene and Music

The music in this small off-site venue was experimental new age upon entry. While models walked the runway, a song that sounded some what like Joy Division looped "Dance with us". The venue seemed as if there was wasted space, as there were only two rows of chairs. Perhaps in true fashion-show politics format, the promoters wanted to keep a certain level of exclusivity.  At the last minute, someone had to give up their first row chair for editor Kate Lanphear, who by the way, we see at all of the cooler shows, like Mandy Coon.

Rating:

Three out of four Karl Lagerfelds.