Gene Meyer Fashion

Gene Meyer Fashion

Gene Meyer Fashion

Gene Meyer Fashion

Gene Meyer Fashion

New York, Feb 9, 2001/FWD/ --- As if to cleanse the colorful palette normally associated with the designer, Gene Meyer opened his comeback show with a series of crisp black and white suit and shirt combinations that showed the designer can do more than spin a color wheel. It comes at a particularly apt moment in Meyer's career: After several seasons of limbo -- being without a financial backer and manufacturer -- the designer, armed with the cash and know-how of new partners, needed to make a bold statement.

To a raucous heavy-metal beat, Meyer's boys have moved on from the Grand Ole Opry to a more rock 'n' roll venue. Out came slick, black and white "cracked" leather coats, button-up bomber jackets and black stretch wool coats and suits. With Meyer's traditionally slim silhouettes, one can imagine a gaunt, rakish heavy-metal stud sporting the clothes for a night out on the town. And with everyone looking flat in flat-front pants these days, Meyer's man has moved on to narrow single- and double-pleat pants.

Despite the black and white start, devotees of Meyer's cool color combinations won't be disappointed. For fall, he offered a more realistic, sharper palette than last season's electric New Wave contrasts. Particularly striking were a series of "slice" sweaters and shirts, which graphically and geometrically sliced across different blocks of color. For this season, they came in the ever-trendy Kelly green and white; and black, red and white (like his invitation).

With a reasonably strong collection, and the support of prominent members of the fashion press and retail establishment, Meyer appeared notably confident when he walked out on stage after the show and waved to the audience. The thrill of being back in business has clearly made its mark on Meyer.

Gene Meyer Fashion

Gene Meyer Fashion

Gene Meyer Fashion

Gene Meyer Fashion

Gene Meyer Fashion