Joop!: There's Hope for Joop!
By Molly Knight
Photos by FW

NEW YORK, Feb 14, 2001/ --- When Wolfgang Joop took his final bow after showing his Fall/Winter 2001 Joop! collection Wednesday evening, showgoers craned their necks to catch a glimpse. Could this be the same German designer who last season alienated audiences with a bizarre brew of '80s and S&M-inspired looks?

It was, of course, the same Wolfgang Joop. Perennially suntanned and smiling, he stepped out onto the runway for a brief moment with model Alek Wek at his side. It was just enough time for guests to verify the good news: Joop is not just attacking the American market, he's finally appealing to it.

Mixing classic schoolgirl/boy looks with military styles, Joop turned out a series of well tailored, sexy and -- most notably -- wearable looks. On the women, the designer matched flirty, knee-length pleated skirts with belted, military-cut coats. For footwear, he opted for bobby socks paired with sleek heels (who said you can't wear short socks with dress shoes?). And in a more grown-up turn, the designer showed slim-fitting suits - one embellished with epaulettes made from silver strands - and sharp-cut blazers worn over crisp white shirts.

On the male models, Joop got a little more adventurous, sending his most daring splash of color out in the form of tight turquoise pants that looked more like thermal underwear than trousers. Velvet suits, chunky turtleneck sweaters and Wellington-style boots lent a taste of English country to the collection.

The high point of Joop's collection was his outerwear: cropped fur coats, fur-lined bomber jackets and collarless trenches cinched at the waist.

Joop!

Joop!

Joop!

Joop!