NY Fashion Week Diary - Day Two

The morning of Friday, February 11 I woke up to my cell alarm and jumped out of bed to get ready for day two of fashion week. The Tess Giberson presentation was at 9:30 a.m., another early show, but this time I gave myself enough time to get ready.

Texture and layering dominated the Tess Giberson’s presentation. A very wearable collection with several cozy oversized sweaters, cowl necks, and fur vests. Every look was a stylish ensemble that I found very chic and alluring.

Tess Giberson Fall 2011

After the presentation at Lincoln Center, I jumped in a cab and headed back downtown to Milk Studios for the Parsons panel discussion, “What Should We Be Doing?” with Jeff Rudes (Founder and CEO of J Brand), Tommy Hilfiger (designer), Rogan Gregory (designer), Stephanie Rosenbloom (reporter for the Style section of The New York Times), Andrew Rosen (CEO and President of Theory), and moderated by Simon Collins (Dean of Fashion Parsons The New School for Design). The discussion centered on the importance of the apparel industry using American factories, especially those in New York and Los Angeles. Manufacturing in the U.S. allows designers to be more creative and innovative if they have direct access to the factory instead of one overseas. Jeff Rudes, who manufactures denim in California for J Brand, said, “There is something to be said about touching and feeling your samples.” They also discussed how Wall Street should help finance young and emerging designers and how the fashion industry should find a way to connect with Apple or other technology companies in order to help with advancements in production. Towards the end of the panel, Jeff Rudes suggested the establishment of a group or network where young designers could have the guidance of a mentor as they enter the fashion industry.

The Parsons Panel Discussion at Milk Studios

Afterwards on the 8th floor of Milk Studios, I took in the presentation for NAHM. Designers Ally Hilfiger, daughter of Tommy Hilfiger, and Nary Manivong’s freshman collection was not what you would expect from a Hilfiger offspring. Mostly in black and terracotta, they reinvented the shirtdress with a Raven themed presentation that included uneven hemlines and modern silhouettes. The goth-like pieces didn’t strike me as uniquely inventive, but I was still intrigued by their debut collection.

Nahm Fall 2011 - Ally Hilfiger & Nary Manivong

Later that day I made my way back to Lincoln Center for the Cynthia Rowley show. Her collaboration with artist Ryan McNamara produced a show that was about the fashion factory. Before each look, a model would run past the runway entrance in her undies, playing on the idea that fashion is, in essence, a factory assembly line. The artsy collaboration also transcended into the collection with the geometric and cubist-inspired patterns. Personally, I was obsessed with the velveteen fabrics, the fur neck scarves, the calf length dresses, skirts, and pants. This collection was a favorite so far.

More after the jump...