House of Diehl: "Revelation"
By Lael Ward-Shapiro
Photos by: Javier Mateo
More photos --->> | 1 | 2
NEW YORK, Sep 14, 2003/ FW/ --- The House of Diehl collection for Spring 2004 was held off
site in the lobby of the Tribeca Grand Hotel.
The fashion press lounged on padded chairs and were treated to a “play” rather than the traditional runway show while hotel guests hung back watching out of curiosity.
Taking a cue from the Bible's 'Book of Revelation' House of Diehl took a 'tounge-in-cheek'
attitude on existentialism.
Almost a slapstick and almost irreverent, the show poked fun to answer the question,
"What good, really, does fashion do to the world.
The "fashion show" began with Heatherette’s muse Amanda LaPore lip-synching
to Ave Maria and wearing a pope-like robe.
As the song ended two people cut off the robe revealing the nudity beneath.
And the pandemonium began, or shall we say, "Judgement Day, House of Diehl style."
The show, divided in three acts, began with a parade of models wearing white face and
exhibiting House of Diehl’s “Brand New Me” collection.
Each piece in the collection has on it a cloth “Business card” with which House of Diehl
hopes to foster communication between strangers.
The idea is that upon meeting a new person you can unbutton the cloth business card and
give it away.
“Give a piece of yourself” literally.
One question needs to be asked though, what if you met so many people that you have to
give all your business cards, will you go around naked? Fashion strip poker anyone?
The overall theme of the presentation was Good and Bad as it applies with humanity.
Whereas the first portion of the show featured modest designs including a skirt much
resembling a patchwork quilt, the third part featured the bad, with models in black face
and risqué clothing.
The darker clothing had attitude and showed a great deal of flesh. None of the pieces
in the group, however, were truly pieces fit for public wear. Most were suited for
Fredrick’s of Hollywood rather than a club or the street – any place you’d use the cloth
business card.
Because House of Diehl knows how to put on a show, the swimwear, which took place between
the Brand New Me selections, were worn by dancers who came out as a group and showed off
their stuff.
While the ideals set out on by House of Diehl are commendable, with the exception of a
couple pieces most of the clothing presented was really not wearable for the majority
of the consumers.
And after paying so much money for the outfits, the idea of giving part of it away will
probably not float.
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