Fashion Week | The Conveyor Belt - A Fashion and Lifestyle Journal

Crossposted from Stylefinds, written by Shallom Johnson

Erin Fetherston’s new collection is quite a departure from previous seasons. After the floaty, feminine elegance of her spring 2009 collection, this came as quite a surprise to myself and many of the other attendees. Like gothic little dolls, the models walked the catwalk in bows, sombre expressions and odd headpieces – some reminiscent of toy-soldier helmets, some looking more like a miniature version of Donnie Darko’s mad bunny. The color palette was mainly black, burgundy and pastel florals, evoking a rather dark innocence. As in many other shows this season, bows were everywhere – in this case either small and satiny or large and crusted with jewels. Hemlines were for the most part short and heels were vertiginous, adding to the Tim Burton doll-like effect.

While I liked some of the pieces in the collection, I felt that overall it was rather disappointing. I am a big fan of the darker side of fashion, however this left me rather nonplussed. Here are a couple of my favorite looks, and a couple that I felt should have been left on the drawing board:

The aforementioned Donnie-Darko-bunny hats:

Creepy little doll. I actually really like this jacket:

These boots might be making their way into my closet soon:

This season seems to be all about the patterned or brightly colored tights:

All photos by Kris Krug of Static Photography.

Published by Terri on February 19, 2009 in Fashion. 0 Comments

William Rast FW09 Collection at NYFW

The Fall/Winter 2009 William Rast “New America” collection was by far one of my favourites that I’ve seen at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Jeans, tees, plaid shirts and wicked fringed leather accented with studs, embroidery, badges and feathers, most definitely a throwback to “biker culture” and “American denim heritage,” as the line is described.

The colours were dark and monochromatic for the most part, and where hues did seep in they were subtle and faded. Everything looked like it had been loved for 20 years, the kind of pieces you bring with you on a road trip that you throw on out of a suitcase and look absolutely killer.

Under the creative direction of Justin Timberlake, Trace Ayala with Marcella and Johan Lindeberg, the “New America” collection drew inspiration from classic movies like Rumble Fish and Thelma & Louise, and emphasized the 5 pocket jean and “couture execution” of traditional Americana pieces like the denim jacket, biker jacket and jean shirt.

Love love love this deep v red plaid shirt and dusty grey leather jacket:

The mens shirts and tees were all very long, and denim was paired with sharply tailored suit jackets or sturdy leather coats:

This grey jacket had black leather sleeves with fringe all down the back seam, and was by far one of my favourite pieces out of the entire collection. Long fringe adorned many of the leather jackets, especially the women’s, but was mostly featured on the backs of the pieces so it was both a subtle and dynamic touch, depending on your angle:

The cape. It’s back in, people:

Have I talked yet about how amazing the fringed shoes were? Reminds me of my Ken Diamond moccasins, but more like a shoe and less like a moccasin:

When the show was over, it was almost embarrassing how excited the crowd was to get a glimpse of Justin Timberlake. Everyone stood up out of their seats with cameras in hand, buzzing with anticipation. Get a hold of yourselves, people!

The show was well attended by a lot of celebrities, including Paris Hilton. I think she was following us, as she showed up at the basement of La Esquina the following evening and stood next to us at the bar before being seated with her sister Nicky to devour some corn on the cob.

All photos by Kris Krug.

Published by Terri on February 19, 2009 in Fashion. 3 Comments

Miss Sixty F09 at NYFW: Highlights and Tweetalong

l-r coca rocha, mischa barton, minka kelly, kirsten bell
photo courtesy of miss sixty

The Miss Sixty FW09 collection at New York Fashion Week was super rock ‘n roll, and after the flurry of photographers fussing over Mischa Barton, Coco Rocha and Rufus Wainwright in the front row settled and the lights dimmed, models took to a runway slathered in black paint to while the dance mix of Cherry Bomb by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts blasted from the speakers.

rufus wainwright and wichy hassan
photo courtesy of miss sixty

Creative director and co-founder Wichy Hassan created an 80′s inspired collection punctuated by bright prints and vibrant colours, featuring cinched waistlines, structured shoulders and stud detailing. I was especially fond of the all the accessories – large handbags, oversized faux fur stoles lined with bright prints, motorcycle gloves and of course the shoes.

Hassan makes references to the work of photographer Richard Avedon in his pieces, and the line readily cites the “vitality and optimism” of the 80′s as inspiration for the Fall/Winter 2009 collection. The line mixes “elegant sensuality, balanced excess,” and “hyper-feminine 80′s style.”

This was one of my favourite looks of the show, though I mistakenly perceived it as a dress when it is actually a ruffle tube top paired with a ruffle skirt. I think the top would look cute with skintight denim as well, but I love this tiered and bulbous minidress as-is…hello, legs! I want:

I never thought I’d say this but the dropped crotch pants are beginning to grow on me. Miss Sixty came out with an incarnation that I think is actually really cute, and surprisingly flattering:

Faux fur scarf in action:

Smokin’ hot in all black:

Shallom was twittering from our seats with live commentary as well:

photo by shallom johnson

Mischa Barton is at the miss sixty show. Paparazzi insanity. Coco rocha sitting in the front row. 8:29 PM Feb 15th

Gemma is walking and she is fierce!!!! 8:38 PM Feb 15th

*OK so it wasn’t Gemma it was Sascha. Still, fierce as hell.

sweaterhead arm jacket 8:39 PM Feb 15th

Corset bondage belts ftw 8:41 PM Feb 15th

Yes I will be shopping at miss sixty this season 8:42 PM Feb 15th

Rock chick punk 80s fuck yeah I want almost everything I see! 8:44 PM Feb 15th

Fur stole with comic strip silk lining haha 8:45 PM Feb 15th

I love this cinched waist full skirt silhouette. And the cropped jackets with bell sleeves! *dies* 8:47 PM Feb 15th

Drop crotch pants for the win!!! 8:50 PM Feb 15th

@ miss sixty party w @tpotratz. Many beautiful people. Man wearing leopard print adidas tracksuit not so beautiful. 12:08 AM Feb 16th

Just got photo taken with leopard print jacket man 12:14 AM Feb 16th

The accessories editor of vogue is standing in front of us at the miss sixty afterparty 12:48 AM Feb 16th

At the beatrice for the purple magazine party. 2:36 AM Feb 16th

All photos by Kris Krug unless otherwise noted.

Published by Terri on February 18, 2009 in Fashion. 3 Comments

Barbie Runway Show Tweetalong Wrap-Up

Shallom and I had a prime view of the Barbie Runway Show streaming live to the big screen televisions in the Tenjune Lounge within the New York Fashion Week tents. A convenient position because it allowed us to tweet throughout the whole show! Here’s our play by play:

@tpotratz: lineup of standees for barbie show at #nyfw is not moving, crowd is getting pretty antsy…completely bottlenecked, what madness! 12:24 PM Feb 14th

@shallomj: Barbie Runway show comin up….saw miss jay make his fabulous entrance a few minutes ago with tarina tarantino #NYFW 12:27 PM Feb 14th

@tpotratz: apparently tons of barbie show guests with reserved seats were turned away from show. i predict PR nightmare for Mattell on monday…#nyfw 12:45 PM Feb 14th

@shallomj: #NYFW giving away people’s seats. Fox was going to have the president of Mattel on TV 2morrow but the producers couldn’t get in. Bad form. 12:46 PM Feb 14th

@tpotratz: sweet deal, they are streaming barbie show live on tenjune bar tv #nyfw 12:47 PM Feb 14th

@tpotratz: intro video of barbie’s 50 year history is playing before the show #nyfw 12:49 PM Feb 14th

@shallomj: barbie runway show #nyfw starting with sparkly swimwear. 12:51 PM Feb 14th

@shallomj: #nyfw yeah, I wanna be a barbie girl. THOSE SHOES! *dies* 12:53 PM Feb 14th

@tpotratz: yeah those louboutin barbie shoes are something fierce #nyfw 12:59 PM Feb 14th

@shallomj: barbie show part 2 – bombshell barbie? #NYFW 1:00 PM Feb 14th

@tpotratz: part 2 of barbie show has begun #nyfw, different hair and makeup woo! 1:01 PM Feb 14th

@tpotratz: ken finally makes an appearance!! #nyfw 1:05 PM Feb 14th

@shallomj: ken makes his appearance #NYFW 1:05 PM Feb 14th

@tpotratz: part 3, bring it on barbie #nyfw 1:07 PM Feb 14th

@shallomj: barbie show part 3 #NYFW: futuristic barbie? jetsons barbie?1:07 PM Feb 14th

@shallomj: one legged one shouldered jumpsuit FTW #NYFW 1:13 PM Feb 14th

@tpotratz: AWW! cute kids in tutus and barbie tees accompany models for finale walk #nyfw 1:14 PM Feb 14th

@shallomj: awww, finale – models holding hands with barbie girls in pink and purple tutus #NYFW 1:14 PM Feb 14th

@tpotratz: @kk was front and centre in photo pit for #nyfw barbie show…these shots are AMAZING 1:30 PM Feb 14th

All photos by Kris Krug.

Published by Terri on February 18, 2009 in Fashion. 0 Comments

CBC’s On the Coast Interviews Terri Potratz and Kris Krug for NYFW FW09

Terri Potratz and Kris Krug speak with Stephen Quinn for the On The Coast program of CBC Radio One, 88.1 FM in Vancouver, discussing our experience in New York and our decision to wear Vancouver designers almost exclusively while here.

CBC interview with Stephen Quinn

Published by Terri on February 18, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

NYFW Day 4: What we Wore

Goofing off in front of the tents.

Terri: deadboys clubhouse shirt (white), vintage shirt, secondhand boys’ tuxedo jacket, American Apparel disco pants, larry scarf, parts by heather necklace, diba shoes.

Shallom: larry cowl, Obakki jacket, Mandula obi belt, vintage skirt, Erin Templeton bag, Seychelles boots.

Here we are at the back of the tents, on our way to the W Backstage Lounge for the House of Cassette presentation. We got attacked by photographers when we stopped for this shot.

Terri: In addition to above, also wearing a Mastermind jacket here.

Inside the W Backstage Lounge, which was a really cool space. Met the designer behind House of Cassette, Peter Lee, and he showed us some of his favourite pieces from the line. We also ran into Dee and Ricky, who make these really cool lego brooches that were picked up by Marc Jacobs last season.

Published by Terri on February 17, 2009 in Fashion. 0 Comments