Hopping off the A train and passing mobs of street fashion photographers capturing the outspoken and dressed-to-impress style of the attendees, I got my first taste of how the next hour would unfold. Some guests looked like they could have stepped right onto the runway. This specifically includes two gentlemen rocking fur coats, sunglasses INDOORS, perfectly trimmed facial hair, and one with the most incredible patterned suit/combat boot pairing I have ever seen. I had to ask for a picture of them. They seemed shy and then posed simultaneously as if on cue. Completely clueless as to what to expect next, I entered the massive NYFW Skylight at Moynihan Drive venue.
Crowd SWAG at Concept Korea FW16. I told you it was serious.
Upon being ushered into the tightly packed room which was warm with body heat and jittering with anticipation, crew and guests were cleared off of the runway. It was then unwrapped from its plastic casing from the corners to reveal a shiny and flawless runway ready, well...runway. Everyone around me looked as if this was not their first rodeo so I tried to keep my stupid amounts of excitement on the inside. I'll pretend like I succeeded.
The lights went down, the music blared, and designer Yohanix began the two-part show. (The film-score buff in me was particularly delighted when models stomped down the runway to a piece by Hans Zimmer from Inception. I’m pretty sure nobody else lost their cool over this. Oh, well.) A collection filled with blazers, jackets, and sweatshirts in shadow blacks, midnight blues, and army khakis began making their mark on a now hushed crowd. With very and dark playful humor, accessorized to perfection, featuring bold textiles, this street-chic girl commanded the runway in beanies, stunning embellishments and beading, and frameless glasses. A standout look featured a heavily structured play on an aviator jacket sporting an oversized shearling collar with spectacular straps, zippers, and fabric-mixing detailing - topped off by a twist on the aviator frames. Take my money. (This look is pictured in the finale photo later in the post.)
Beading, and beanies, and beach waves! Oh, my! Designed by Yohanix. (Model has a face, I promise.)
Commanding the runway next was Jarret. It was very clear off the bat this collection would be a seamless modern marriage of both masculine and feminine tailoring. Featuring a more couture woman complete with blood red lip and booties, draped in fur and/or layered in lace, with a metal bow-like hairpiece, this woman was here to own the room. Blue Sapphire was another fearless color found throughout these looks whether comprising an exceptional fur coat over a grey hooded sweatsuit, or making up an entire hooded embellished sweatsuit itself. Both of these looks I could not get enough of. The use of fur was definitely a prevailing theme throughout the collection which made Jarret’s girl look luxurious, posh, and powerful. The soft hooded sweatsuit looks provided a beautiful juxtaposition with the fur, yet elements tying each look together made for a seamless and exciting show.
Be still, my heart! Jarret's girl OWNING those separates and red lips. But seriously, that jacket.
I know, another faceless model. That outfit, though! Besides the fact this would turn heads at any formal outing, how comfortable does this look for everyday wear? That's my kind of fashion.
Sign me up to be this girl's sidekick, or at least tell me when she's not looking so I can steal her outfit. Jarret's signature fur, metal hairpiece, red lips, and blue booties paired with effortless separates.
If I hadn't seen this girl walk, I could swear she was a robot. Actually, she still might be.
Although both Jarret and Yohanix had independent shows that were styled to their individual preferences and aesthetics, as the models took to the runway in one grand finale, the collections became one. The structure, textiles, color, detailing, and styling all flowed beautifully to create an environment where all of these looks made perfect sense on one runway. It was very apparent that a lot of the females in the crowd at this show wanted to be the Concept Korea Womenswear FW16 girls, myself included. Overall this show was an overwhelmingly amazing and inspiring experience I will not soon forget and can now cross off my bucket list. I hope to get the opportunity to attend more like it!
Stomping it out in the finale. Yohanix on the right, Jarret on the left. Look at that first Yohanix look! That jacket! Those glasses! That collar! That material! I'm in love. That second girl too. Bring on fall.
Take a bow! What a show. Bravo.