Williamsburg Fashion Weekend Rocks Glasslands
BY CC MCGURR
Taking a bite out of the big New York fashion enchilada Fall 09, Brooklyn distinguished itself with its very own “Williamsburg Fashion Weekend” by staging an intriguing lineup of talents and happenings on February 20 and 21. Demystifying the self-importance of the fashion industry by making it fun, and just a bridge away from the more famous Manhattan event, the Williams-burg version scored major points for its intuitive tone, merging newcomers with confirmed players in a spirited two-night marathon reminiscent of the 70s movie “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?”
The fourth annual WFF was held in the famously grungy performance club/gallery Glass-lands on Kent Avenue. The scheduling was relaxed, affording the chance to knock down a few cocktails while pacing around to the sound of rock beats until show time. Sexy public relations girls held to the Brooklyn royalty VIP list very loosely, allowing extra patrons to squeeze in.
The show was the initiative of producer and front-man Arthur Arbit (backed up by public relations man Tom McAlister), who emigrated from his native Russia to New York in 1979. The demurely stylish Arthur (“I’m a vintage guy”) has had a long love affair with Williamsburg/Greenpoint, producing concerts, staging art shows, and once even working as a tailor at his own dry cleaning business, now closed.
Arthur’s irreverent elegance was the WFW signature during the fashion proceedings, where designs by Racecar!, Apparel & Nettie, Trisha McBride, Papusza Couture, King Gurvy, SDN, Sodafine, and Treehouse Brooklyn were on display. His “I hate runways” attitude summed up the prevailing style on and off the stage, which was crammed with musical instruments for the performing kick-ass bands. The opening act, Mandate of Heaven, was two hours late hitting the stage, but since Anna Wintour wasn’t around to complain, the band’s long-anticipated appearance took on the feel of extended foreplay, much to the appreciation of the crammed scene-sters on hand. Everyone was smiling and there was no bitching.
Catch up on the Williamsburg runway scene here.
Leave a Reply