Location: Green Naftali Gallery, 516 W. 26the St., the Forbidden Zone
Timestamp: New York Fashion Week
Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, J. Ecochard
Designers Tina Lutz and Maria Patmos' motto is “no five minute trends”. This translates into the fact that this duo creates some wonderful tops and dresses that you’ll never get tired of and donate. The season they were showing was spring, but the clothes are seasonless, which makes them a favorite with the fashion cogniscenti. They use exquisite fabrics and textiles such as cashmere made in Italy and silk and cotton blends. The designers pride themselves on making knits that are constructed like wovens. Some designs are even reversible.
We love that the designers of this hot indie label have a reputation as social activists and collaborate with world-aid groups The indigenous women of Bolivia, who have an ongoing association with the label, made the macramé pieces in this collection.
On the art side, the installation at the gallery included some pieces by guest designer, Richard Meier and Jim Drain’s colorful macramé sculpture was the perfect backdrop for the black, cream and gold clothes displayed on the groupings of mannequins. While it’s nice to see clothes on living breathing models, these clothes are best viewed in still life format, allowing us to examine them in detail and marvel over the beautiful knits at leisure.
Star items:
-The black knee length coatdress
-The macramé gold lame bolero
-The black mercerized cotton macramé bolero