NRT: Pure in Plastic

Screws, stripes, and strategically placed tape- oh, my. While it was a winter wonderland in April outside, there was a whole topsy turvy wonderland inside of NRT's showcase of her latest designs this April 2nd.

On Saturday, Kara and I had the chance to catch NRT by Nicole Rita Tomney's showing of her new collection "Pure in Plastic" that we gave a sneak peek of at our S/S 2011 PARKSHOW on March 12th (Nicole will be formally debuting the full collection at FAT Toronto's alternative fashion week). Inspired by Lady Gaga, metal music, and dominatrix ladies, Nicole's collection of darkly dreamy dolls also reminded me of the fantastical geometric silhouettes of Tim Burton's creations (sidenote: I've been reading the exhibition book for MoMA's retrospective on the director/artist, Tim Burton by Ron Magliozzi and Jenny He).

Photo via  Litrato - Images by Bonskie Photography & Ariel Arrieta

We arrived with our friend Jennifer Lee of Pumped Shoes (which sponsored the heels in the show) to models in wig dresses- taking a cue from Gaga and Maison Martin Margiela's S/S 09 collection (and a 1960s mod design I've seen, although I can't find the reference image I'm thinking of). Starting the pre-show with some drama- I like it.

Taking over all of Belgo restaurant's downtown space, it was cool (get it?) to see the eclectic crowd of people who were willing to brave snow flurries to check out NRT's designs. Before the show started fashionable late, we caught up with local fashion/creative world friends and recent collaborators for PARK4JAPAN Ania B., Sandra Cross (who did models' eerie chic makeup), designer Shae Kearwood and stylist Jennifer Lyle, all in fine form despite braving the weather to come out. We also chatted with Alberta Fashion Week's David Politi about their awesome venue this year and we can't wait to see it come May.

And as for the designs? Something wicked this way comes...

(Note: neither Kara nor I brought the right camera- for better pictures of the designs, I recommend you check out Ania's blog or Litrano Image's photoset on facebook)

NRT's new designs meld concept with structure, and the dramatic shapes created by the pieces' exaggerated maximal/minimal elements have intriguing effects: huge shoulders bring a post-modern guerilla street war style to the 2011 runway, teeny floor-length hems on slim full body dresses draw attention to the way a model moves putting her in a world of her own. Beyond that, there were some bold but wearable items I could picture mixed up or down into looks for events or daring nights out (I've got my eye on the capes). To top it off, DJ Adrian Villanova from Paris spun a commendable mix of tunes for the show, adding to it's underground wonderland feel (I wish I could get my hands on The Killer's remix tune he played).

The overall look of the show packed a punch and I am impressed by the meticulous vision of Nicole as a young designer. In the end, I think it was fitting that the weather outside was so frightful- as the "Pure in Plastic" show proved, it's what's to be found under the spotlight inside and underground that can be delightful.

-Suzie.

Colour Block Me Bold

              Vogue Italia March 1996                                                             Versace campaign 1994                                                             Chanel Winter 1995

You could say my love for fashion erupted like fireworks at a young age. Although I was oblivious to the influences of Vogue, Chanel, and Versace, I was drawn to the bright, bold, colors of the mid-nineties with just as much gusto as Lisa Frank. My most fashionable outfit, at the stylish age of eight years old, consisted of a purple and teal Northern Getaway orca whale sweatshirt paired with matching purple tights and purple Sorel boots. 

My naive nineties fashionista counterpart was revived when I saw the pink, red, orange, purple and teal color blocking introduced again in the SS 2011 season. My heart flew back to the days of '95, where I would happily pair red and pink without a second thought. The forerunners, most obvious crusaders of the reintroduction of this trend were Prada and Jil Sander in SS2011.

Prada SS2011

Jil Sander SS 2011

The trend caught my eye but I didn’t think much of it until I started to see it was becoming a staple for FW2011. Following suit in the fall season with a vigour:

Burberry Prorsum FW2011

                                                          Gucci FW2011                                                                                    Yigal Azroël FW2011                      Diane Von Furstenberg FW2011 

And then, why not, all combined at once (the eight-year-old me would create a secret handshake with the current me to celebrate these looks): 

                Jonathan Saunders FW2011                                         D&G FW2011                                                     Gucci FW2011

Alberta Ferreti FW2011

Looking back at the naivety of my youth, I once vowed to never again utter the words “purple” and “teal” or “pink” and “red” in the same sentence, let alone let them be paired in my wardrobe. And yet- how easy it is to run back into the arms of my beloved jewel tone and candy bright pairings thanks to these recent collections. Like an awakening from the old for a new season, I'm washed with nostalgia and new beginnings; now, if only I could find that whale sweatshirt...

- Kara

Guest Blogger: Michael Dixon on Men's Fall/Winter 2011

Although much of the men’s season tends to take place before any of the women’s shows occur, men’s fashion still tends to take a backseat to the hegemony of the female centered fashion world. As much as I love women’s fashion, lately I’ve started to keep better track of the men’s shows (it only makes sense that I would want to keep on top of new ideas and trends for myself). I sincerely hope that one day men’s fashion will be regarded as equally important to the dominant women’s. Read: equality for all.


With that said, here are a few Fall/Winter 2011 favourites of mine.

Marni F/W 2011

We all know that the world is becoming increasingly complicated. My solution? Give minimalism a try. It’s definitely something I look for often in collections. This season, Marni seems to have got it right: simple, relatively clean lines, and starkly intellectual styling. I think that it’s safe to say that I would wear at least half of this collection. A leather tote? I’m willing to give it a try. The bit of colour blocking on some of the sweaters reminds me of a Prada collection seasons ago of which I was also a fan. Marni, or more specifically Consuelo Castiglioni, does casual, smart nerd well.

Sometimes a fashion show is just that: a show. Maybe that’s all it really needs to be? Although I’m not one for the attire itself, Jean Paul Gaultier brilliantly sent his models down the runway looking a tad gender neutral, at the same time contrasting what seemed to be super feminine with extremely masculine ideals. Odd proportions, no real theme, and I loved every second of it.

John Galliano F/W 2011

Speaking of shows, in a category of his own is John Galliano, who never fails to impress theatrically. The thing I love about Galliano is that his shows always tell some sort of fantastic story. And the story for this season? Well, uh, I’m not quite sure exactly. Expeditions in Old Russia perhaps? All I know is that you can count on Galliano to have shirtless men in every show (even in this Siberian lineup)- I’ll admit that that is a part I look forward to. Despite the drama, not surprisingly some of the pieces look extremely wearable, and created out of the rich textures and high quality cuts Galliano is reputed for on the ladies side of Dior.

-Michael Dixon