martinMARTIN: "The Poetry of Anti-Fashion"
By Mari Davis
Photos by: FW
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LOS ANGELES, Nov 3, 2003/ FW/ --- A pleasant surprise last Friday at Mercedes Benz Shows LA was the runway presentation of martinMartin who presented avant-garde clothing, which in their own words described as “a revolt about glamour in the traditional sense.”
Though the show notes said that the collection “pays homage to the poetic existence of the 1960s and the futuristic designs of Courreges, Paco Rabanne and the great California designer Rudy Gernreich,” it looked more like the Antwerp fashion movement in Paris with the rawness and artistic flair of London.
Using black and white as the main color palette, with some red and ecru thrown in for accents, design duo Diane Moss-Martin and Eric Martin sent ankle-length dresses and skirts with asymmetrical hemlines on the runway.
Unfinished and raw, the fabrications that were traditionally associated with the uniforms of workmen became fashion statements.
The carpenter pants became cargo pants while the jumper suit was shown without a shirt.
Skintight ultra sheer nylon (for tops) almost rendered the wearer nude.
There were almost no adornments except for a keyhole here and there, or a 2” wide fabric piping.
Models wore white paint as gloves. One model had “temporary tattoos” on her body with the words, “The Poetry of Anti-Fashion.”
It was a very artistic collection. Even the styling was reminiscent of Paris. Two male models had their shirts “wrapped” around their chest, instead of wearing them.
There is one question that needs to be answered though --- Is L.A. ready for this artistic and avant-garde look?
The City of Angels is known for its glitz and glamour. Though the majority of the populace is more into jeans and casual wear, the glitterati in Hollywood are the trendsetters here.
Will the surfers in Malibu and Newport Beach take in this look? Will the rollerblading denizens of Venice appreciate the artistic quality of this collection?
MartinMartin is on to something. They have proven that Los Angeles can compete in the international fashion scene with this collection.
The question is, will their home city support them?
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