One of the things I like about Boston Fashion Week is it’s openness towards new and upcoming talent which can put new designers and businesses in the spotlight (unlike other cities). But with that idealistic view of fashion, it makes it hard to find the golden apples and going to the GASP Industries Intrigue Fashion Show certainly was a mixed bag.
To start, the space of the show was on American Islamic Center (AIC) on Newbury St, which gives the aire of prestige, but once inside were were packed in there like sardines.
For those who came early they were treated to view fashions vendors. This actually was my favorite part of the evening as I got to see vendors like Fashion 4 Peace, VanaVain Vintage, Fab! Fav – La Femme Chic, Haute House Studios, Asiko Leather and Crafts by Bobby Crayton. Although these vendors had great fashions, I didn’t feel it was appropriate for them to be selling items at a fashion show. It takes away from the designers who are showcasing selling their product, and after paying to see fashion show, you want to see the show and get on, not spend more money on other products. That’s what StyleFixx is for! The other issue I had is that the vendors were way in the back corner, so even if someone was tempted to buy something, they’d have to get over the sea of seated patrons to do so.
Vanessa Lundy of VanaVain Vintage
La Femme Chic – Katlyne Dessaint
Haute House Studio
Asiko Leather and Crafts by Bobby Crayton
Fashion 4 Peace
The fashion show finally began about a half hour late *sigh, and the first round of walk-throughs happened (please note I said 1st). Now, most people who have ever been to a fashion show know that they last probably 15 – 30 minutes – total. When you have 8 designers going through TWICE how long y’all think that’s going to take? Yup – too daggone long!
So let’s talk about the fashion. I had some favorite pieces, but it was hard to find a favorite collection. Overall I would say The House of Nahadra tribal contributions were uniquely inspiring. Though, during the second run we could have done without the theatrical dance performance. Let the clothes speak for themselves.
The House of Nahdra
The House of Nahdra
I also enjoyed Jhoanka & Co by Jhoanka 2nd pass through as there was an amazing jump suit and a black dresses that totally stole the entire show! The nude, but not nude as well as the metallics would be a great addition to any glam gals wardrobe.
Jhoanka and Company
Jhoanka and Company
Jhoanka and Company
Jhoanka and Company
Jhoanka and Company
Jhoanka and Company
Unfortunately, that is where the praise ends. I already mentioned that the length of the event was entirely too long, but I have only begun to start with the why. 1st off there was an intermission with passed hors d’ eourves – and I use the term loosely Although I appreciated the sentiment that people would be hungry at a 3 hour long show, but to serve chicken noodle soup cups, cupcakes, sangria, chicken plates are not it! Napkins were hard to find, and the poor children serving were on the cusp of breaking some child labor laws.
While in our intermission, we had lively entertainment from the Boys and Girls Club…again. Why??? These lovely children sang 5 songs! This was a fashion show, not a talent show. There is no need for an intermission, there was no need for entertainment. If it is about fashion make it about fashion.
Now onto the models. I get it that Boston is not the fashion capital of the world, so a lot of “the models” probably didn’t have any representation, were a friend of a friend or what have you. Ok. But I was literally offended by the way that Doce Swim by Cherene Ross displayed her swimwear. If you are going to have swimsuit models, you need to have women who are not only skinny, but toned. Nobody wants to see your cellulite and stretch marks on the runway. At the very least put some cocoa butter or Vaseline on the ladies! When you are showing that much skin, confidence can only take you so far. There were children present!
As to the male models, it covered both extremes from the tired and sad with Rowing by Claude Michelle to the boisterously overstated with Chevalier Homme by Reginal Merome. Merome did have a good sense of pattern, and made you look at the male body a bit differently than I had seen before, so I support his brave perspective.
Chevalier Homme by Reginal Merome
I think the show had some interesting elements, but just tried to do too much with the vendors, food, entertainment and THEN fashion. My advice for the future is to focus on the fashion first and create separate events for the other things. So many activities and poor organization, made it difficult to appreciate the designers hard work, and that simply should not be the case.
