With shoulders drooping ever so slightly, and toes feeling worse for wear, we braved the dismal weather to make it in time for the first event. Fortunately things perked right up as we were handed a mimosa and macaron upon entry to the Robert Graham show. Eschewing a runway production, the relaxed production — complete with a live band playing soothing island tunes — consisted of groupings of models dressed in looks from the current season. Most looks were built from a button down and rolled up jeans in either a basic denim or a bright shade; we liked a look pairing blue jeans with a red striped shirt, blue-on-blue plaid sports jacket and a multi-coloured checkered pocket square.
Sid Neigum followed, and, quite simply, blew us away. Apparently influenced by microbiology, the Fibonacci Sequence and the golden ratio, Neigum put forth dark, avant-garde designs — for both men and women — that reminded us of Rick Owens, or something we’d find on the coolest kid in a Berlin nightclub. While some of the pieces would be a bit difficult to pull off (like a men’s sleeveless black dropped-crotch jumpsuit), others (a women’s sheer black blouse with turquoise polka dots) were not only desirable, but easy to incorporate into an everyday wardrobe. Andrej Pejic was spotted in the string of models, with his beautiful androgynous looks being used to better effect this time around, unlike in the Arthur Mendonça show. Our favourite? A turquoise leather jacket with half-sleeves and shoulder cutouts. Neigum is definitely one to watch.
Last year’s Klaxon Howl show brought Samuel L. Jackson; this year’s had no such Hollywood draw, though we did spot Tommy Ton in the front row, carrying his Klaxon Howl x Hudson’s Bay knapsack. Unfortunately, that was kind of the highlight for us; we had hoped to be wowed by the looks but felt underwhelmed by it all, determining that high-waisted pants are not an appealing look for men. However, it-man Jano Badovinac did look quite fetching in a safari look, and we liked the use of what appeared to be traditional Cambodian scarves as headwraps.
Next up was Label, yet another collection inspired by the sea (or "the deep unknown"). We saw more shoulder cut-outs and exposed zippers — which apparently people have not tired of — styled with eighties gold metal specs and jewelry by Emily Woudenberg. A simple and wearable collection.
We weren’t quite sure what to expect from Korhani Home — a rug runway show, of all things — but certainly weren’t expecting the extravaganza that followed. Through the duration of the spectacle we spotted a bejeweled bellydancer, models fit for a safari, and '80s pop stars with oodles of attitude and make-up (we actually loved both a hooded onesie and purse with a cassette pattern). Just as we thought the show was coming to a close, the whole cast of Alice in Wonderland appeared, complete with a very bewildered — not to mention terrified —rabbit. The whole show was good fun, though we were a bit creeped out by the Mad Hatter and felt for that poor rabbit.
The rest of the night was devoted to the Mimran empire: Pink Tartan was first, followed by Joe Fresh, with the former being Kimberley Newport-Mimran’s responsibility, and the latter hubby Joseph Mimran’s. The front row was jammed with all the usual media suspects (some of whom were avoiding rain dripping from the tent ceiling), while we spotted stylist-slash-designer George Antonopoulos, Fashion’s street photographer Lewis Mirrett, Stacey McKenzie, the Seven Dollar Pants gals, Keisha Chanté and Barbara Atkin peppered throughout the room.
Pink Tartan began with Amanda Laine trotting out in a chic cream and black striped dress with a dropped waist; Andrej Pejic followed, this time wearing a black mesh top paired with a pleated cream mini-skirt. Overall, the collection had a '60s feel to it, with Newport-Mimran stating that a “modern Brigitte Bardot” was her muse. We loved a black and white polka dotted trench paired with a cigarette pant of the same pattern, and a blue-on-black polka dotted dress with cutouts at the waist (though we did wish that the dots lined up at the sides). A crisp Newport-Mimran appeared with Pejic to take her bow, before having a bit of a slip on the likely rain-filled floor on her way backstage.
The final onsite show of the day was Joe Fresh; we thought that it was rough going into the Pink Tartan show, but alas, we were mistaken. After working our way through the crowds, we entered the runway room that saw people crammed into every possible corner. Fortunately, it was all worth it: the show was a huge success. It got off to an okay start, with a look that reminded us of the Finnish flag, but proceeded to get much better. Mod influences were spotted in the likes of black and white hot pants; bold men’s sports jackets were cheeky fun (we liked one covered in asterisks); and spring green lace-up pleather pants were a refreshing change from black leather. A chartreuse cocoon sweater in what appeared to be neoprene was a fantastic–if bold–piece, while the closing look of a canary yellow T-shirt paired with a ballroom skirt of the same colour made a beautiful statement. We loved Yasmin Warsame’s hilarious runway reference to last night’s fall, and the cheerful clothes sent everyone happily off into the night.
Sid Neigum followed, and, quite simply, blew us away. Apparently influenced by microbiology, the Fibonacci Sequence and the golden ratio, Neigum put forth dark, avant-garde designs — for both men and women — that reminded us of Rick Owens, or something we’d find on the coolest kid in a Berlin nightclub. While some of the pieces would be a bit difficult to pull off (like a men’s sleeveless black dropped-crotch jumpsuit), others (a women’s sheer black blouse with turquoise polka dots) were not only desirable, but easy to incorporate into an everyday wardrobe. Andrej Pejic was spotted in the string of models, with his beautiful androgynous looks being used to better effect this time around, unlike in the Arthur Mendonça show. Our favourite? A turquoise leather jacket with half-sleeves and shoulder cutouts. Neigum is definitely one to watch.
Last year’s Klaxon Howl show brought Samuel L. Jackson; this year’s had no such Hollywood draw, though we did spot Tommy Ton in the front row, carrying his Klaxon Howl x Hudson’s Bay knapsack. Unfortunately, that was kind of the highlight for us; we had hoped to be wowed by the looks but felt underwhelmed by it all, determining that high-waisted pants are not an appealing look for men. However, it-man Jano Badovinac did look quite fetching in a safari look, and we liked the use of what appeared to be traditional Cambodian scarves as headwraps.
Next up was Label, yet another collection inspired by the sea (or "the deep unknown"). We saw more shoulder cut-outs and exposed zippers — which apparently people have not tired of — styled with eighties gold metal specs and jewelry by Emily Woudenberg. A simple and wearable collection.
We weren’t quite sure what to expect from Korhani Home — a rug runway show, of all things — but certainly weren’t expecting the extravaganza that followed. Through the duration of the spectacle we spotted a bejeweled bellydancer, models fit for a safari, and '80s pop stars with oodles of attitude and make-up (we actually loved both a hooded onesie and purse with a cassette pattern). Just as we thought the show was coming to a close, the whole cast of Alice in Wonderland appeared, complete with a very bewildered — not to mention terrified —rabbit. The whole show was good fun, though we were a bit creeped out by the Mad Hatter and felt for that poor rabbit.
The rest of the night was devoted to the Mimran empire: Pink Tartan was first, followed by Joe Fresh, with the former being Kimberley Newport-Mimran’s responsibility, and the latter hubby Joseph Mimran’s. The front row was jammed with all the usual media suspects (some of whom were avoiding rain dripping from the tent ceiling), while we spotted stylist-slash-designer George Antonopoulos, Fashion’s street photographer Lewis Mirrett, Stacey McKenzie, the Seven Dollar Pants gals, Keisha Chanté and Barbara Atkin peppered throughout the room.
Pink Tartan began with Amanda Laine trotting out in a chic cream and black striped dress with a dropped waist; Andrej Pejic followed, this time wearing a black mesh top paired with a pleated cream mini-skirt. Overall, the collection had a '60s feel to it, with Newport-Mimran stating that a “modern Brigitte Bardot” was her muse. We loved a black and white polka dotted trench paired with a cigarette pant of the same pattern, and a blue-on-black polka dotted dress with cutouts at the waist (though we did wish that the dots lined up at the sides). A crisp Newport-Mimran appeared with Pejic to take her bow, before having a bit of a slip on the likely rain-filled floor on her way backstage.
The final onsite show of the day was Joe Fresh; we thought that it was rough going into the Pink Tartan show, but alas, we were mistaken. After working our way through the crowds, we entered the runway room that saw people crammed into every possible corner. Fortunately, it was all worth it: the show was a huge success. It got off to an okay start, with a look that reminded us of the Finnish flag, but proceeded to get much better. Mod influences were spotted in the likes of black and white hot pants; bold men’s sports jackets were cheeky fun (we liked one covered in asterisks); and spring green lace-up pleather pants were a refreshing change from black leather. A chartreuse cocoon sweater in what appeared to be neoprene was a fantastic–if bold–piece, while the closing look of a canary yellow T-shirt paired with a ballroom skirt of the same colour made a beautiful statement. We loved Yasmin Warsame’s hilarious runway reference to last night’s fall, and the cheerful clothes sent everyone happily off into the night.