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.
