BARBARA TFANK – The “Come out and play” spring 2010 collection

TEXT: VIVIAN G. KELLY
Images, Richard Spiegel

TIME & PLACE: 4:30p.m.
New York Fashion Week
Milk Studios, 8th Floor

Barbara’s work has always had a sixties elegance and aesthetic to it. This season, Barbara told us she has a moment of self-discovery which came when she opened the pages of AVEDON Fashion: The Definitive Collection. Says Barbara, “I had not realized how profoundly my approach to design had been influenced by working with Richard Avedon when I was a very young designer.”
She was lucky – Mr. Avedon let her pore over his private archive of fashion stills. The sixties elements were all there: the Kevin style bouffants, the music, and the cat eyes and of course, the clothes. There were timeless silhouettes present – blousons, A-line skirts that evoke that pretty primness we all loved when Jackie Kennedy wore it during her White House years.
While the clothes had us briefly fantasizing of leading this languorous early sixties lifestyle, this is one designer who’s got her feet firmly on the ground.
“I want to give real things of real value from day to evening to my customer, something they want to keep in their closets for many seasons.”

Menswear Day Highlights, London Fashion Week SS 2010

Text: Sofia Shershunovich
Edited by: Vivian G. Kelly


Time: Day 6: 23rd September 2009



Place: Somerset House, London



James Long

S/S Trend Watch, James Long: Colored metallics, skin tight leathers, derelict knits, tie dye, shiny camo, and men clutches.


You know the phrase “you would look good even in a garbage bag”? It may have been the inspiration behind James Long’s London Fashion Week S/S 2010 show. But jokes aside, it was possibly the most exciting runway of the day. Maybe a little too much of everything from my perspective, but nevertheless thrilling and definitely a step (or six) up from the ordinary. It would be great to see men take some risks and incorporate Mr. Long’s vision into their wardrobe this spring.





Lou Dalton

S/S Trend Watch, Lou Dalton: Sailor stripes, navy/red/gold, khaki, Carrie flowers, a short man’s attitude.



A long long time ago men’s fashion was just as intricate as women’s. Men wore make-up, wigs, fake moles, fabulous jewels, frills, heels, and feathers. Lou Dalton’s show at the Summerset House’s beautiful Portico Rooms showed us that perhaps it’s time to bring some of that excitement back. With his Napoleonic inspired hats, jackets and flower accessories he brings Sex and the City flair to a daring and stylish men’s closet. Although, he might want to step out of the closet first to make some space.






Topman (by Topshop)

S/S Trend Watch, Topman: Electric blue, powder blue, white, raven black, sporty, geometric patterns, civil war, anatomical print tees, jet black.

The most anticipated show of the day was Topman (by Topshop). The show featured an ultra light then a dramatically dark palette, and a make up artist with a sense of humor, who gave the models a peculiar fake bake. Parachute bags made an appearance again, we noticed them earlier at a Carolyn Massey show earlier in the day. Then suddenly the theme changed to high fashion, anatomical and civil war with studs, furs, and gold accessories. Smart, dark, and sexy suits brought the show to a climax leaving us with a sense of disbelief in our scepticism when it comes to this particular high-street brand.