Proenza Schouler Cruise 2010

Proenza Schouler Cruise 2010: A Drop Of The Ocean In The City

by Rie Cau posted on June 19, 2009

Is it too late to take our word back? Because the terrific twosome is back in charge at the house!

Proenza Schouler, the New York based label by Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, may have been on the weak side for the past few seasons; but their cruise 2010 show presented on Thursday, 18th June 2009 at Pitti W in Florence certainly shows the world their creativity and their well-deserved qualification as CFDA‘s Accessories Designer of the Year for 2009, which the pair took out earlier on this week in New York City.

Ultimately, this is their first show on European soil and the result is a pleasant surprise that lives up to and above Mr. Hernandez‘s expectation of it as an up the ante event.

The collection is very strong – not only in terms of its structure but also with its intricate work on print, cut, geometry and utterly, its overall fashion forward statement.

Mr. Hernandez says the collection is inspired by the pair‘s recent trip to Tahiti. As a result of this, early 50s surf culture seeped through to become the core essence of the collection.

Washed out, beachy tones and prints are at large at the show. There are three outstanding prints: one is an abstract print, which poetically mimics the murkiness of water; another is a blotchy print of water lily; the third is clean crisp lines, which seems to resemble the movement of the sea waves – zigzag line representing violent days and straight lines representing calm tranquil days. This accentuates the overall freedom, easiness and escapism of the collection, as it brings the sea closer to us no matter where we are.

The silhouette is very body conscious with an abundance of movement friendly clothing. Tops tend to stretch and hug cordially around the body; whereas trousers, shorts and dresses are on the loose-and-breezy side.

We spied one camisole top in electric purple with eccentric cut-outs under the bust that simultaneously set our pulse raising absurdly.

Accessories are also a key this season. Their notorious PS1 bag is updated for 2010 in bright bold popping colours with a new addition to their family of handbags: a striking striped cotton and leather tote bag.

In the shoe department, there are dangerous rocking sky-high platform sandals in exotic Nile Perch skin and trimmed with raffia. A flat version of these tough pair of heels are also available; but surely, as a competitive challenger in the field of fashion, we prefer the more wild version.

Overall, the show, as presented by models Hanne Gaby Odiele, Alana Zimmer, Alyona Osmanova, Daiane Conterato and Jacquelyn Jablonski, is American by nature with its artistic approach upon sportswear and ease; but with the luxurious tailoring, allure and chicness of old Europe seeded right through it.

We like it, because it is something evolutionary – a modern fresh new look that all city girls will surely fall in love with for it is recklessly daring and insanely hot.