Fashion Funhouse Emporium

Sally Lapointe

An article for Rolling Stone's blog was titled: How Lady Gaga launched Sally Lapointe's Career. First thought, crediting Lady Gaga for the launch of a talented designer's career is giving the pop star a bit too much credit. Maybe it's just the headline's wording. Perhaps "Boosted Lapointe's Career" is more appropriate. While it certainly doesn't hurt to have a fashion-loving mega-star adore the clothes, Sally Lapointe certainly was on the radar of many stylists and editors previous to Lady's love. What made the industry keep one eye on Lapointe was--and still is-- her unique approach to deisgn in an American market where others tend to tone down ready-to-wear for buyers.

Colors: Black, gray, pink, green, yellow silver

Materials: Crepe, calfskin, jersey, silk, chiffon, neoprene

Loved Looks:

View Full Collection on NYmag.com

While signature black structured pieces were still there, a lighter vibe swept over the collection. The run of show mentions Renwick Ruin, an abandoned smallpox hospital on Roosevelt Island, NYC. The influence was seen as the models wore sheer caps, as if wrapped in bandages. Though the pieces evoked the beauty of the ruins, not the sorrow that dwelled within many years ago.  Beautiful pastel prints combined with Lapointe's signature architectural jackets stole the show. Piece by piece, the majority of the collection is very wearable for a woman who wants to add her own style. A shimmering blazer can be worn with a button down shirt and trousers. A sleeveless black ultrasuede vest can easily be worn with a white tank and denim. Perhaps most interesting, Lapointe manages to make her pieces sellable without selling out who she is as a designer.

Unloved Looks:

The silver microvelvet vest and green shantung jacket will probably work best for an editorial spread or Lady Gaga's next stage appearance.

People, Music and Scene:

MrWilsonDJ provided the tunes as always. After a scary hull in the frieght elevator leading to the venue, the guests had plenty of room with very few left standing.  Though, it should be mentioned that Sally Lapointed showed in the same venue seasons past, but the stairs were the only way up. Frieght or five flights of stairs? Spooky elevator please. It was a packed house with Adam Lambert look-a-likes, cool fashion people, but no Lady Gaga.

Rating:

Three out of four Karl Lagerfelds.

As you are breaking out long pants, sweaters and coats, Jamar Graham, my trusty correspondent and are checking out the collections at New York Fashion Week Spring 2012.

Our fashion week schedule is full of sophomore and even unheard of designers. These are the best shows for us, as its always exciting to see the next up and coming batch of fashion designers. Not to sugar coat, but sometimes we witness a few that need to go back to the drawing board. But, that doesn't mean we don't catch a few shows that knock our socks off --and then we later gloat "I saw her/his first show!"

These are the designers on our radar this season:

Sally LaPointe

Sally Lapointe Spring 2011 Debut, Photo: Dan Lecca

In Spring 2011, Sally Lapointe debuted, did her own thing and stood out among what seems to be an ever growing fashion week (seriously, when did the definition of "week" turn into ten days). Her signature designs are emotional, structural and flawlessly constructed. Oh, and you may have heard, Lady Gaga is a fan. Why wouldn't she be? Lapointe is what is lacking on the American design scene when it comes to runway shows and new lines, and that is a fearless experimental drive to create garments according to her standards without toning it down for the mass market.

Parkchoonmoo

There are many "o's" in Demoo Parkchoonmoo's name. As is there was in her audience with her first show in US for Concept Korea, a collective of Korean designers who showed during the Fall 2011 season of New York Fashion Week. With an industrial design and fashion education, her designs reflect her knowledge with fluid, geometric shapes. She's new to us, but she's been on the forefront of Korean fashion since 1988 with numerous awards to show for it.

Jen Kao

This Kansas native is not brand new. She showed her first collection back in 2008. She moved to New York in 1999 to study studio art and from there developed an interest in textile design. Her collections often include feminine, flowing pieces, constructed leathers and some of the most unique knits I've seen. Her mix of cool and lady-like is something to see more of. She keeps getting better.

Norman Ambrose

Many times new designers lean towards the edgy or downtown side. Not Norman Ambrose. His first presentation for New York Fashion week last Fall was all uptown with tailored coats, long gowns and sophisticated separates. His show landed him on many ones to watch lists for this season. And, yes, he should stay there. His clothes are already on par with the veterans like Salvatore Ferragamo, Oscar de la Renta and Ralph Lauren. It only has to get better from here.

Honorable Mentions:

We're not going to lie. We don't know much about these designers. But we are not going to miss these shows because we are tossing the dice and hoping for something breathtaking, new and exciting.

Katya Leonovich

Bridal? Hmm. Does this mean there is no more Bridal Market Week?

Rolando Santana

The press release says we will fall in love as if we were in Florence on cobble stone streets. Plus he collaborated with Manolo Blahnik for this show. Sounds good.

Angelina Mata Atelier

She's from Texas and that in itself is a reason to go. It couldn't be as bad as the designer who blasted Giant by Dimitri Tominkin on repeat. Please, don't do that to us again.

Christine Alcalay

The invite looked colorful and performance art-ish. Okay. Why not.

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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