Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, self-proclamed "dorks" and only in business since 2002, already have a reputation of quality and innovation. Hernandez and McCollough met in Parsons Design School in 1999 and partnered up for their thesis project calling it after their mothers' maiden names, Proenza Schouler. Their first collection was born and they developed a unique signature in this early stage, which is unusual for young designers. Hernandez originally wanted to be a doctor and McCollough was intent on blowing glass, fortunately for the world of fashion it turned out quite different. In 2003 they won the CFDA's Perry Ellis Award for new talent, from than on they showed every season with large success under the critical eye of the fashion industry. The clothes show their eye for detail and are beautiful executed. Hernandez and McCollough are especially attracted to natural vs. contrast which is visible in every collection in a different sphere and concept.
The last collection of Proenza Schouler, Fall 2008, was inspired by making paper planes en route in the car, which resulted in folded, origami like fabric and details. The collection shows powerful woman (capes) with a little touch of femininity (bows). They experimented with exposing the inside of the garment on the outside like lining popping out.
The colour pallet of the collection was in beautiful gold, purple, dark green and blue and was put together with care. The trousers were wide with a classic mens touch. The dresses, skirts and jackets had folded origami like details and the sequin tops and trousers reflected the light while the models walked down the runway. The make-up finished the look with a Brigitte Bardot meets Courtney Love, sexy meets raw concept, a clean blue smokey eyes and natural moving hair.
Another nice point of attention was model Alice Burdeu (picture on the left), winner of Australia's Next Topmodel (cycle 3). When I look at the various Topmodel searches on television most of the time I see models not topmodels, but when I saw Alice the first minute on the show I was blown away and immediately knew she was the winner. She has that rare je ne sais qua that makes a topmodel. During the show she was often criticized because of her low body mass index. She put a few pounds on and even became more beautiful. One of the prices Alice won as the winner of Australia's Next Topmodel was an eight-page fashion feature in Vogue Australia. The photos were so amazing that the editor in chief, Kirstie Clements, decided to put Alice on the cover of the September 2007 issue. Not bad for a first modeling job!
Click here for the complete collection of Proenza Schouler.
(Images by: Style.com)
