Timestamp: Tuesday, September 11th
Location: the NY State Armory, 68 Lexington Avenue
Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Photographs, www.style.com
“It’s taking things out of context that makes things interesting.”
- Marc Jacobs
Many say that genius is often misunderstood. We’ll admit that we were guilty of this crime when it came to our first take of the Marc by Marc Jacobs spring 2007 collection. A big problem was that we had not seen the Monday night “backwards” Marc Jacobs show which helped put the Tuesday afternoon show into context. It really began to make sense when we became engaged in a conversation later that afternoon about the limited Edition Vuitton patchwork bag. The new must-have limited edition piece appeared in Vogue’s “Last Look” page edited by Virginia Smith. The squares used are from different Vuitton bag leathers and fabrics used over the years. The bag runs into the 5-figures, but to a die-hard Vuitton collector it's a must-have. This bag will take her down a sentimental journey in which she reflects on all of the Vuitton bags she’s acquired over the years.
For his Marc by Marc Jacobs line, the designer seems to have had seventies airline stewardesses and a youthful Mary Tyler Moore on his mind. The stewardesses [flight attendant, today] would have approved of his neat trenches and shirtdresses and appreciated the official looking gold buttons and hardware. While we were initially thrown-off by the seemingly “extra” panel on a woman’s trench coat, we “got it” after having the above-mentioned conversation about the patchwork bag.
The men as usual, were in very casual ensembles that a hip young guy in the arts would want in his closet. You could image him going-off to work in a red and camel color block sweater worn over a white shirt and skinny black tie, charcoal stripe pants and metallic track sneakers.
Key hair artist Guido and the Redken Team provided excitement with their eighties club kid. The hot pink and red side parted hair reminiscent of the Eco Spread featuring Shalom Harlow in American Vogue’s September 2007 issue.
Although the show was studiously retro, taken off the runway and broken-up at retail, the individual pieces will call out to you from the racks. We experienced this phenomenon last week while visiting Neiman’s Westchester store location [White Plains, NY]. Mr. Jacobs’ designs are like Miuccia Prada’s. At first you’re not sure, then slowly but surely, you fall madly in love. We left Neiman’s, wanting everything on the floor.