Philadelphia Fashion Week began with much anticipation. Months of planning and sponsorships from the likes of almost every major fashion, media, and cultural outlet finally came to fruition last night at The 23rd Street Armory.
Starting out the event were the culminated pieces of the 2009 fashion students of Moore College. Giving any current designers a run for their money, many of the silhouettes were not only futuristic in design, but also in the materials used. Avant-garde? No. Fashion forward? Yes. As for the senior designers, there were many exciting hits and a few painfully unwearable misses.
Kill City was the first to debut their collection. Not one to be flagged down by color, this label made black and white compulsory hues for a stylish wardrobe. Taking much from fashion's recent foray into a simple way of dressing, their tees and sport jackets were made for accessibility, given any price budget. Women may want to riot, and not just for the seamless shirt dresses that littered their line. The label introduced bleached denim for men, a concept that just recently was only worn by their female counterparts.
Of course this trend will most likely be seen on the most daring men who don't mind being called a wannabe "European" by less adventurous clothiers. Kill City was the 1977 album by rock father Iggy Pop and James Williamson. Yet this season the line promised no translation from the coolness of the music to the apparel. Ladies and gents heed this money saving warning, your emo days and hipster days will clash. Kill City known for their basic apparel will most likely be seen on club kids, scencesters, and the occasional rebel without a cause. Instead of throwing away that dingy black tee that fit like a glove, and the plaid button up that seemed to never go out of season, take them to your tailor and recycle, reuse, refuel.
It's safe to say that Brooklyn Royalty had the biggest upset of the night. From a rumored inebriated designer who was too drunk to take the congratulatory bow, without the help of two of the larger male models, to the clothes that were spilling on the catwalk as each model ascended the stage. It's one thing to have mesh scarf, but paired with pants of the same texture is inexcusable even in fashion standards.
Sadly, even the hip name of the brand couldn't save it from a fast downturn as each model strutted about without anything for the audience to look at. Not to mention what seemed like an obsession with neutrals.
Paired with the lighting of the venue, one would have thought mere muslin was on show and not actual purchasable pieces. Clothing was unraveling with each step and the materials used to construct each garment looked like mere mocks and not the completed product. If clothes make the man, any shopper should beware of adding any of these pieces to their wardrobe. However, if you're feeling daring, a simple tee from what most would deem a poorly constructed line.
Wrath Arcane stayed true to its previous collection, mimicking "The Great Gatsby" in not only their ethos on labels, but in their passion for an effortless way of dressing both the female and male form. Bowler hats and clean lines were a big hit, thrown in were hoodies comprised of buttons instead of zippers, an ooh la la moment for the laid back, unapologetic brand.
The label is easily recognizable by their steady stream of swift lines that followed the body's contour. Color made an appearance along two toned wing tipped shoes and fitted khakis were just some of the 21st century meets Oscar Wilde inspired looks. I'm not sure every man or women could fit easily into such slim silhouettes, especially when even the models were having trouble maneuvering in runway samples. Yet it doesn’t take a genius to realize that with a few more years of research and careful branding Wrath Arcane will become a runway contender.
Surprisingly, it seems to be the male designers who continue to make waves throughout both apparel groups. Even with their promise of “made in America” Wrath Arcane is one premium label that practices what it preaches. Using higher quality fabrics while keeping a relatively low price point rarely goes hand in hand.
