Fashion Fusion
An invigorating performance by rapper Astronomical Kid and the Cosmic Crew unveiled the second night of Brooklyn Fashion Week(end). These little kids aged probably not over ten showed some real talent and chemistry that wowed the show-goers.
An invigorating performance by rapper Astronomical Kid and the Cosmic Crew unveiled the second night of Brooklyn Fashion Week(end). These little kids aged probably not over ten showed some real talent and chemistry that wowed the show-goers. Astro Kid indeed could rap, and the Cosmic girls dressed in popsicle colors danced like they just didn’t care. “Can’t keep quiet,” Astro roared into the microphone while the Cosmics yelled, “Can’t keep still.” They won the audience over by having the whole house rock with them, “Can’t keep quiet. Can’t keep still.” Over and over again.
The Astronomical Kid and the Cosmic Crew, backstage.
Following the performance were a series of local and international designers. A group of young and bold couturieres, Maxwell Williams High School Young Designers Initiative showcased some of the most refreshing designs during Saturday’s show. Teenagers as they are, they demonstrated originality, skill, and vision that make wonderful designers. Fur and denim prevailed in their wild and raw collection. Interspersed was a black cheongsam-inspired dress that grabbed attention with its silky texture, curvy contours, and exquisite embroidery. A tutu-makeover top took the audience’s breath away with its puffy tulle layers that wrapped the kid model in ethereal whiteness, adorned with a gold circle chain belt—a nice touch that gave an urban edge.
One designer that stood out was Canada-based Gloria Lee. Her fall/winter ’09 collection was short and glitzy, dominated by mini-dresses and sequins in black and silver.
Her way of cutting and draping complimented the female figure, whether it’s a deep v-cut little black sequin dress, or a casual high-waisted dress in gold and dark purple. Consistency in her aesthetic sensibilities rendered Lee’s collection one of the best among her fellow designers’.
Levi the 1929 presented puffer coats in an array of fluorescent colors like red, blue, pink, and yellow. They came in different lengths—to the calf or to the waist, and different forms—capes or vests. There were even coats tailored toward the end that looked like a skirt. The pieces from the Levi collection, with warmth guarantee and candy colors, seemed to be ideal choices when the brutal winter strikes.
In its seventh season, Brooklyn Fashion Week(end) once again proved its worth by introducing some of the emerging fashion design talent the borough has been nurturing. The mixture with the designers from London and Toronto gave BKFW a global flair, and offered an opportunity for designers to mingle and pick each other’s brain. The choice of kid performers and models was definitely unusual. While some might feel these children were clad in clothes way beyond their age, the young performers and models did a fantastic job, even more impressive than their adult counterparts. A fashion greenhouse for Brooklyn’s own, Brooklyn Fashion Week(end) deserves to be lauded for all the participants’ tremendous effort to put on a good show. Like the hostess Dee Vazquez said, “This is how we do it in Brooklyn.”
(Photo credit: Wire Image)
