New York February 6, 2006Set in the Metropolitan Pavilion the Designer's Showcase was one of the many shows that were conducted outside of the Tents in Bryant Park. The multi-collection show included five of the hippest young fashion labels in the industry. Showing their fall collections of both women's wear and men's wear was a roster that included Roxs by Shakara, akademiks, Destination U, Jedda Kahn and Sean John.
Design by Destination U and Shakara Ledard in Roxs
Roxs by Shakara kicked of the high-energy show. The style at Roxs was punk and pretty. Designed by model/ actress Shakara Ledard this ready-to-wear women's wear line had attitude and style. Wearing heavy black makeup on one eye the models strutted down the runway flaunting hardedge details such as studded belts. Also in the line-up was a sexy turquoise dress that donned a bullet trim insert across the hips. Plaid was a major theme in this collection also. Paired with fishnet thigh highs were short skirts, there were skinny pants and many ripped and/or frayed items.
Akademics showed a very cool and hip collection. In their signature style, the collection featured embellished denim, screen-printed hoodies, t-shirts and button down shirts that were often layered atop a longer sleeve thermal. The themed colors were oranges and browns with the occasional golden yellow as an accent.
Jedda Kahn
Destination U was the next collection in the show and as the music began the models glided down the runway wearing designs with a futuristic street wear flare that could have been from the most stylish rendition of space ship wreckage. This women's wear and men's wear collection featured tapestry coats, chunky sweaters and tulle netted scarves (some with big silver grommets) in soothing subdued colors like sand, grey and black.
At Jedda Kahn it was all about glitz, glam, fun and lame! This 70's inspired line featured designs dipped in shimmery fabric, beading and strong color combinations. Some of the highlights included a jumpsuit w/beaded waist detail, brightly printed floral bell-bottoms and a short flirty gold lame halter dress (great for a night on the town or a glamorous roller skating affair).
Sean John
Then at Sean John, once again onlookers were reminded of the range and flare of the label as a bare chest model strutting an asymmetrical fur design that was a cross between a vest, coat, and cloak headed-up the runway. In a mix of fur colors this design set the tone for what was next. In a parade of mixed details that included denim (both jackets and jeans), embellished track suits, hoodies, a black parka with fur trim and slew of fingerless gloves the collection was exciting to watch. But as the parade of buff models cruised down catwalk for the finally, the crowd sighed with disappointment because there was no Diddy at the end to take a bow.
Images provided courtesy of East-West Media.
