Runway shows diverse future of fashion industry [REVIEW]
By Raine Blunk
From Azede Jean-Pierre’s opening piece that screamed “silky white Luke Skywalker chic“ to Alexis Asplundh’s blocky use of highlighter-bright colors on a Mad Men silhouette, designers of the 2012 SCAD Fashion Show gathered inspiration from a variety of places.
While the origin of inspiration for Karis Fox’s grey-blue taffeta bubble dress is questionable, her full-length shimmery blue gown seemed to come straight out of the closet of a future first lady.
Hyemin Cho’s use of fitted gloves spoke to the angsty teen in all of us – while counteracting the professional look of her knee-length dresses paired with black tights and black heels. In other collections, the use of chunky stilettos on sock-laden feet was rampant, but Erin Goodman’s pairing of what seemed to be lace up men’s shoes with a full-length green ombre dress and matching long-sleeved cropped pullover was one of the most unusual shoe-to-clothing combos of the show.
Speaking of ombre, Danielle Griesenauer’s blue and yellow dip dyed menswear was reminiscent of a high-class tie-dye session. Her bulky hooded jacket paired with matching yellow pants would have stolen the show – if it weren’t for the ’90s homage on the model’s feet: Birkenstock sandals completed each piece in her collection.
Some of the looks erred more on the side of usefulness, like Kei Siu’s ’60s flashback neon green, clear plastic raincoat, Annabel Armstrong’s horseback riding fashionista look complete with high waisted riding pants, or Tara Wright’s collection of delightfully futuristic fairy-esque kidswear paired with matching tennis shoes.
Some of the looks seemed like they popped right off the runway, like Kia Brinkley’s sapphire blue full length dress and coordinating blue fur stole, or Patricia Garcia’s flamenco-dancer-meets-complementary colored-chameleon gown. Some of the looks could have done without such overdone patterns, Kali Lague’s red and black houndstooth pants. Her short white shift dress with hot pink bows down the front and a drape back would have stolen the heart of a sexier, more stylish, adult Shirley Temple.
While the menswear left much to be desired as far as ruggedness is concerned, Derek Clarkson’s thickly layered, earthy colored outfits with heavy boots and Ga Young Suh’s fitted, modern city boy in navy blue and orange leather jacket with shorts both managed to exude just the right amount of masculinity.
Cassidy Brown’s camel colored dress closed the show in more ways than one. Not necessarily because I didn’t like the giant pinwheel of muted purple fabric that seemed to sandwich the model from either side, but just because I didn’t know what to think of it at all.
Whether you loved the work featured in the show or wanted to see the styles on a clearance rack, it is impossible to deny the fact that each designer put their personal spin on what they consider the future of style. Although the looks featured in the 4 p.m. show wouldn’t be considered ready to wear, any of us would be lucky to get to wear a piece from the collections for a day.
