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LOOK SHARP

BK Fashion Week(end) had glitz, glamour, celebs, rappers & crime

By Lisa J. Curtis
The Brooklyn Paper
The Brooklyn Papers / Jori Klein
At BK Fashion Week(end) in DUMBO May 5-7, designer Roger Gary's collection took a walk down the runway.

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If there was anything BK Fashion Week(end) - a marathon of live music performances and runway shows featuring Brooklyn’s up-and-coming designers - taught us, it’s that the borough is long on style, creativity and attitude.

The event took place under white tents nestled inside the brick shell of the Tobacco Warehouse, on the edge of the East River. The venue seemed more appropriate for a posh, old-money wedding until the line-up of hip-hop artists came down the aisle to rev up the crowd.

The private event, orchestrated by Black Entertainment Television stylist Rick Davy and publicist Cybelle Sandy, brought together celebrities - such as "Project Runway" finalist Zulema, who showed her collection on Friday night; buyers; industry insiders; and the media, to help emerging artists get a stiletto in the door.

The designers’ collections varied wildly, from the inventive, eye-popping clothing, er, sculptures, of H.O.R.R.S. (Habana Outpost Recycled Reject Shop), which playfully exaggerated the models’ bodies; to the flamboyant men’s suits of Nana Boateng; to Anita Watkins’s Sixxfoota collection of furs, suede and luxurious leathers customized for tall men and women.

The event also attracted some folks who’d rather not be wearing any clothing at all, like Kiki Rockstar, author of the collection of erotic short stories, "Under the Covers," and bad behavior from one man, who snatched a Get Money Girl gift bag from the stunned columnist from L Magazine. (She didn’t press charges.)

Designers used various ploys to get the crowd’s attention. While Get Money Girl’s models threw handfuls of dollar bills from the runway (spurring several of the industry insiders to cast aside their self respect and scramble to collect them), Tyeknow began its show with a recording that blasted: "You’re gonna die." (But after seeing the duo’s collection of drab men’s leisure suits, it was clear their show should have been prefaced with "You’re gonna get sleepy.")

Khalil’s line of clothing for men and women featured lots of unfinished hems on animal skins and lavish use of woven textiles. But just when the audience was ready to pigeonhole him for his use of earth tones and cowry shells, he would send out a bright orange leather pullover or plaid, high-waist trousers. Clearly, Khalil’s still honing his collection’s identity, but we enjoyed all the facets of his eclectic show.

Although the level of experimentation and daring was inconsistent, BK Fashion Week(end) did introduce the audience to many talented designers. We can’t wait to see what they come up with in September.

©2006 Community Newspaper Group

→100 Wine Tips: Everything’s Coming Up Rosés

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