NEW YORK (AP) — Waterfalls cascaded down the marble walls of the imposing early 20th-century Beaux-Arts building where Proenza Schouler showed her latest collection at New York Fashion Week.
To be clear, the water was not actually wet, but represented in video installations. Still, the soothing cascades created a strong sense of humor for the clothes on display in Friday’s show, particularly the cascading ruffles that adorn various ensembles, either spilling down the back of a dress or “dripping” down a long sleeve.
In the Hall des Lumières exhibition space, located in the former Industrial Savings Bank for Emigrants building (an early example of a New York Beaux-Arts building), designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough presented a collection that, according to they said, it was a mixture of their personal style. stories, in his own words, “the fiery, sensual qualities of Lazaro’s Latin roots coupled with the pragmatism and determination of Jack’s American experience.” Water, the duo said, was chosen as a symbol of life.
The collection, which notably featured more sheer or skin-baring looks than designers typically do, opened with two dresses featuring sheer crocheted skirts and fringed bodices. Later there was a glittery gold crochet ensemble of a sleeveless top and sheer skirt.
Hernandez said backstage that the duo had found “this amazing community of hand weavers in Bolivia,” who worked on a set of pieces for six months.
In conceiving the show, McCollough said the duo had started with a series of silhouettes. The idea of water, he said, was expressed in the trickling sensation, for example, the rippling sensation of a loose pair of flared pants or a ruffled black leather skirt. In addition to the crochet looks, the lace dresses added another sheer look.
The designers, who met as students at Parsons School of Design, named their fashion label after the maiden names of both of their mothers. They often base their collections on themes from contemporary art or culture.
Source: apnews.com