The Sunday show at New York Fashion Week was a platform for the talents of two independent designers, Piotrek Panszczyk of Area and Ludovic de St Sernin. What made this event even more noteworthy was the surprising partnership between Area and Luxury Stores at Amazon, which served as the principal sponsor of the show. Held in a picturesque red brick building with a view of the Hudson River, the presentation exuded luxury and sophistication.
Area, a New York couture brand, is known for its avant-garde designs, exceptional choice of fabrics, and bold cutting techniques. Piotrek Panszczyk, the founder and creative director of the brand, has successfully cultivated a distinctive signature style for Area. This season, Panszczyk focused on the motif of the eye, incorporating playful cartoon imagery with dropped corneas and oversized pupils. When combined with surrealistic elements reminiscent of Man Ray’s work, these artistic details brought an unconventional yet captivating aesthetic to Area’s designs.
The collection showcased a range of eye-catching pieces, including tentacle-like tops, whimsical cocktails, and playful bras, all in an elegant black and white color scheme. Eye studs were used in grommets to hold together technical lace and leather, adding a unique and edgy touch to the garments. Dalmatian print gowns, cloaks, and cocktails adorned with black buttons created a dramatic contrast to the more streamlined slimline columns, stylish T-shirts, and chic denim jeans and hotpants. Each piece was meticulously embellished with Area’s signature crystal beading and belts, adding a luxurious touch to the overall look.
Piotrek Panszczyk explained that this collection aimed to showcase the brand’s versatility beyond intricately designed couture dresses. By incorporating eye-catching motifs and experimenting with unconventional silhouettes, Panszczyk aimed to offer new perspectives to Area’s loyal customer base.
Another standout designer at the Sunday show was Ludovic de Saint Sernin, whose collection paid homage to the art and photography of Robert Mapplethorpe. Mapplethorpe was known for his ability to capture human attributes in flowers and vegetables, revolutionizing the world of photography and challenging societal norms surrounding sexual freedom. In collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, Ludovic incorporated images of Mapplethorpe’s flowers and fauna onto exquisite organza tops and seductive semi-transparent cocktails.
Pairing these delicate and suggestive tops with pencil pants and skirts, Ludovic created an alluring aesthetic that celebrated the beauty of Mapplethorpe’s work. Female models confidently strutted down the runway wearing bra and pants combinations, with transparent skirts overlayed with tulips, creating an electrifyingly sexy look. The show concluded with bondage-inspired black leather looks for men, reminiscent of the atmosphere in iconic leather bars like Ramrod in the West Village.
Both Area and Ludovic de Saint Sernin used this platform to assert their unique creativity and individuality within the fashion industry. Their collections made bold statements, further solidifying their status as influential players in the fashion world.
Useful links:
1. Area
2. Ludovic de Saint Sernin
