Styles That Rocked al Fresco on the Hudson
For the third year in a row, BTE TV Executive Producer Sofia Davis hosted a fashion studded day at Riverbank State Park in Harlem uniting talented designers from across the country. The third edition of Fashion on the Hudson set the stage for a style-centric afternoon with twenty designers lined-up for the packed Saturday schedule.
The outdoor presentation seemed to serve up something for everybody with its mix of custom hats, sophisticated dresses, streetwear, urbane knitwear to edgy lingerie. Here are the catwalk favorites that rocked the runway.
Hats off to Harlem’s Heaven Hat boutique… or should we say hats on? Veteran New York milliner Evetta Petty showcased her custom line of whimsical and fashion forward hats for men and women. The range of styles included fascinators, floppy hats, pill box hats, shepherdess hats, grosgrain caps, panama hats, trilby hats and fedoras respectively.
Hot Cocoa was made to tempt and tease. The voluminous Hot Cocoa collection brought showmanship to the stage with their edgy lingerie that hinted at something vaguely fetishistic. The bold and domineering line consisted of curve hugging body suits, one pieces, lace corsets bodysuits, and ultimate skin-fitting one-pieces accessorized with simple shrugs, thigh-high lace stockings and fierce stilettos.
The edgy urban street wear label Street M.O.D.E. Twenty2 goes beyond hip-hop with its array of mature looks for men and women. The urban lifestyle brand collection presented a nice balance between timeless sportswear and a bit of novelty with a minimal number of huge logos. The fall collection is heavy on classic American staples with its collection of wearable basics.
Designer André Thornton incorporates full cut sweatpants with coordinating waist-length zip-front jackets, two-piece short sets, slim-fitting jeans, tank tops, short polo dresses and body-hugging full-length dresses for women as well as coordinating button-down shirts and lean-fit silhouette bottoms for men.
Knitwear designer Stephanie Nunn focused on casual elegance in a resort-friendly daywear collection. The designer featured a series of flattering silhouettes, plunging neck and back drapings, delightful fringe hems in an array of full-length and above-the-knee dresses. The collection boasts a palette of jewel tones, pale greens, soft grays, and black and white combinations made from soft metallic yarns.
Thomas LaVone went from teasing to pleasing. A month ago the Newark-native designer offered guests at the VitaminWater Inspired Fashion Show Challenge for New Jersey Fashion Week a taste of his upcoming collection. This time there was no reason to hold back.
LaVone’s presentation had glamour in spades, from the opening high-collar white above-the-knee dress, to the one shoulder satin amethyst gown with appliqué lace embroideries. The 16-piece collection featured decadent evening gowns, juxtaposition party dresses, structured suits, slim fit pants, and sequined tops for ladies. The designer also showed two looks from his luxe men’s swimwear line.
While she wasn’t listed by name in the programme, Robbie Kelly was very present. The D.C. designer presented only one look, a flawlessly executed full length gown. The lightweight custom-halter dress featured two-tone hand beading and low cut back.
Veteran New York milliner Evetta Petty showcased her custom line of whimsical and fashion forward hats for men and women. The range of styles included fascinators, floppy hats, pill box hats, shepherdess hats, grosgrain caps, panama hats, trilby hats and fedoras respectively.