by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com
The conventional thought about fashion is it should be wearable.
It should be pretty. It should be attractive. And it should have a function… either as something to wear for recreation, work, or an evening out.
However, fashion is an art form as well. And during the assorted fashion weeks across the glob, invariably, there will be fashion shows that put the focus on fashion as a means of expression.
And that was the case at the Sheguang Hu show at Art Hearts Fashion in New York on Feb. 11.
The Chinese designer based in Netherlands presented a collected he dubbed, V-Reborn. According to a press release from the designer, “The show featured two sessions with three sections each: The first session was about life, with sections titled ‘Clear,’ ‘Nature’ and ‘Transform.’ The second section was about soul, with sections titled ‘Growth,’ ‘Suffering’ and ‘Bloom.’”
The show was eerie and disturbing at times, with the opening models entering the runway with translucent headgear that covered all but their eyes and mouths and their garments were translucent as well—bearing their bodies. Other garments arrived on the runway with the models covered in headgear adorned with red hands as horns and fur covering all but the model’s eyes. Other garments reminded me of a mix of garments from the 18th century royal courts of Europe, meets David Bowie (accessorized with huge platform shoes), meets the dandy New Romantics of 1980s British pop music. And still others were even more disturbing with models wearing white leotards adorned with warped, alienesque skeletal structures pushing through the fabric.
There was a definite narrative through the show although it was clear the narrative was more poignant to the designer than the audience. For those viewing the show, we were just left to take in the spectacle. And in an odd, carnival-esque manner, it was beautiful.
Was it wearable? Well, that was beside the point. Was there a purpose to it? Yes- the Sheguang Hu show was about the art of design and the art of story telling. On those points, it succeeded.
PHOTOS by MIKE CHAIKEN
