Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images of spring 2009 collection, Casi Densmore-Koon
Image of designer with model, from www.vogue.com.au
TIME & PLACE: @ 6:30PM, Friday, September 5, 2008
The Altman Building, 135 West 18th Street, NYC
IT’S A BUG’S LIFE
Said Alice backstage pre-show: “This collection stemmed from the idea of INSECTS, but also pushing prints into blown-up up proportion which creates body contouring on the body and a 3-D effect.”
SOME MORE INGREDIENTS IN THE MIX:
- A pinch of London cool – Alice has already shown 3 times in London, and this was her first New York Fashion Week outing.
Alice did a capsule collection that featured bright acidic fluoro colors for Topshop which hit their retail floor earlier this year.
- COLOR – lots of blue, all shades of it
- ART NOUVEAU for that arty touch which makes this collection more than “just clothes”.
THE ECO COMPONENT
Alice worked bamboo into some of the knits. After testing out several bamboo tees and knit pieces from a variety of fashion companies such as PAMPLEMOSSES, AVITA [the store’s private label], and OXYGEN REQUIRED, there’s no going back for us to regular cotton tees.
TREND SPOTTING
There were more of the short hemlines that were all over the runways and a lot of swagging which added interest to the jersey pieces.
ACCESSORIES ALERT
This designer did all of her own accessories and a fine job she did indeed. Patent is everywhere this season. While we liked the block heel patent sandals we LOVED her inventive POD BAGS.
The POD BAG was inspired by a beach ball, small wonder as Alice spends roughly half her time in Australia, and the other half in Bali. She showed it in black and white and in electric blue – our hands-down pick.
Alice McCall is a line we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on in coming seasons, and yet another example that some of the best fashion during New York Fashion Week is off site ie: not in the Bryant Park Tents. What’s a little extra walking and subway hopping if you get to see new cool lines like this?
To view more of Alice McCall's designs, visit her official website,
www.alicemccall.com