spring 12 – EcoSalon

EcoSalon at NYFW: Suzanne Rae

Amy DuFault — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:35:03 +0000

Suzanne Rae presents spring ’12, proving pattern, flounce and tailored silhouettes can seamlessly blend.

Brooklyn designer Suzanne Rae’s influences from the New York art gallery scene, design ateliers of Costume National in Milan, and Morgane Le Fay in New York always permeate her designs and we are appreciative of that. In fact, we specifically look for such influences in her collections.

Spring ’12 continues to satisfy our eclectic souls, drawing inspiration from 19th century-Japan and Rae’s collaboration with photographer Renato D’Agostin and his body of work Tokyo Untitled, “reflecting a modest era with a zen like quality that is at the same time optimistic for a better tomorrow.”

Rae’s artistic draping of crepe de chine, silk chiffon, hemp jersey, raw silk and hemp jersey were skillfully employed into tailored, high-waisted pants and shorts, flowing bustles, versatile mini-dresses, trendy jumpers and printed bikinis. All pieces that were easily translatable from runway to street.

We loved the raffia capes for a fun editorial touch and the Bruce Lee flats that added an effect of effortlessness to each model, each a style icon in her own right.

Here are some of our favorite looks.

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EcoSalon at NYFW: Gretchen Jones’ Horses

Amy DuFault — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:14:19 +0000

Gretchen Jones channels a mix of Patti Smith and Don Juan to create her own distinct vibe for spring ’12.

Having known Gretchen Jones for years and watching her climb her way up to where she currently stands is truly inspiring – and it’s a tale of how hard work pays off. That said, walking into her presentation was to witness Jones at a whole new level, away from Project Runway, away from her fashion foundation in Portland, Oregon, to the present moment, where the designer is fusing her supreme sense of styling, fantasy and music to give us her spring ’12 collection, Horses.

I caught up with Jones the day prior at Tour de Fashion’s “Borrow A Bike,” and she said of her collection: “Each one of my collections has something to do with music and literature. This time I grabbed from The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Carlos Castaneda and Patti Smith’s album, Horses. Both are all about searching for a higher truth,” says Jones.

“Plus I feel like I can bring a connection to the consumer when it comes to the creation process, bringing in music and literature that people love and can relate to” she says of her silk and silk cotton line made in New York City’s Garment District.

With a full house, models lined up for mug shots (their numbers called one by one), and the music of Nouveau Classical Project composed just for her presentation, Jones infused fashion week with something fresh and pretty yet authentically old school rocker, and yes, always that hint of fantasy we’ve come to know her for.

Images: Amy DuFault

More from the archives: Read Gretchen’s exclusive column for EcoSalon, EcoSalon at NYFW: Gretchen Jones’ Horses appeared first on EcoSalon.

EcoSalon at NYFW: John Patrick Organic

Jennifer Barckley — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:31:32 +0000

John Patrick Organic’s optimistic presentation for spring ’12 makes way for an aesthetically-pleasing collection.

John Patrick showed his 19-piece, spring 2012 collection on a rainy New York morning just steps from the Hudson River. With a diverse troop of models looking relaxed and even happy, Patrick’s presentation was in stark contrast to what one usually identifies with New York Fashion Week shows.

Patrick says, “I don’t do trends,” allowing him to take the idea of sustainability to his own metropolis where other designers want to emulate him and where in fact, he becomes the trend setter. Patrick says this collection comes from his personal quests: “It’s about going on a journey, but you don’t know where you’re going. It’s where I am in life.” If not by intent, his designs nonetheless feel very relevant – light, ethereal and make for an effortless and natural life.

Freedom, as we know, comes in many forms. Pieces like the Khaki Strapless Dress (below), an all-weather hat and cozy flats channel Patrick’s wilderness-seeking independence.

His white, off-shoulder dress, coupled with a recycled nylon Camel Catskill Rucksack (below) – “A bag that people can use!” proclaims Patrick – takes lightweight travel to a more cosmopolitan place.

Following his pursuit of the organic life, Patrick’s blend of simple luxury with sustainability is clear in designs like his featherweight Tie Silk Shorts and Raw-Edge Shirts.

True to name, the bottoms are made from recycled men’s ties sourced from New York, California and France. “Recycled materials are so important given the state of the world,” I overheard Patrick telling the buyer from Barney’s New York. A part of me wished I could have seen her face better when she digested that.

As the non-linear, runway-free show came to a close, the models danced around hugging and still smiling. More fodder for the aforementioned show optimism.

If Patrick’s designs point a compass toward the future, this writer thinks we should all join the journey.

Here are more shots from the show:

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