New York Fashion Week

G-Star, Spring/Summer '09 (scroll down to read the review)
G-Star
Usually when a designer instructs models to do more than just walk down the runway, the show runs the risk of coming off as hokey. Fortunately the brains behind G-Star had the gusto to pull off an electric show.

Models stopped and started all in sync to music shifts and lighting changes. They flexed even more prowess during spot-on choreographed formations on moving hydraulic-powered platforms. The entire show, and a show it was, wowed the crowd and added a real edge to the event, which was held in the cavernous Park Avenue Armory last week.

The spectacle didn’t take away from the clothes, which, as one would expect, were sheer street mixed with high tailoring. There were fitted shorts, sexy jumpsuits, razor-cut blazers and vests as well as softer pieces like silk jersey tops in bold prints. For the men, came white-washed denim pleated shorts that looked like a modern version of a kilt along with skinny gray jeans, slim black shirts, and worn tees. The Dutch company also introduced its new collection, called the Correct Line, which explores motifs beyond selvedge denim.

Stand outs included a sharp navy trench and crisp white vest. G-Star used the occasion to raise awareness of the UN’s Millennium Project (Alan Cumming and Heather Graham talked up its goals pre-show) and then feted the project with a blow-out post-show bash. The entire outing sizzled with a kind of energy that felt more European-underground that Upper East Side.