Hyperkult

After the rain, Napa, CA

As I’ve taken the time to slow down and refocus both my energy and attention span lately, my writing has slackened in kind. I’d expected to have something to say about New York Fashion Week (didn’t flip through one slideshow), the Olympics (missed them completely), or the upcoming Oscars (still haven’t seen Avatar), but the opposite is true.

There’s never a dearth of blogging fodder, just an occasional lack of steam to write about any one of many topics. Instead I’ll share something that held my rapt attention last week: a Human Media piece on editor, composer, and artist Tucker Stilley. I could wax philosophical about the powerful segment, but I think it’s best to simply listen, and that I’d probably spoil it with a wordy synopsis. So listen.

Rodarte S/S 2010, Photo credit: Style.com

New York’s Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Week was a let down. I can’t say that I was enthusiastic about many of the collections, save for the four that I’m highlighting here. What was most disappointing about the New York shows was that many designers paraded out barely tweaked iterations of what they’re known for. Sure, there is something to be said for having a “signature,” for satisfying a loyal client base, but when that signature turns routine, it’s at best predictable and at worse a sign of laziness.

But onto the good: Rodarte (above) in particular was look after look of breathtaking, tough, gothic ballerina wear unlike anything else shown this past week—the kind of half-mad, but ultimately wearable and beautiful imaginings of the Mulleavy sisters, Kate and Laura. Next up for the two is Rodarte for Target, the chain’s next Go! International collaboration. I’m not sure how Rodarte’s $1,000+ shredded sweaters and elaborately draped dresses will translate to a $20-100 price range, but I’m trusting the Berkeley badasses to do what they do best, with discounted panache.

Proenza Schouler S/S 2010, Photo credit: Style.com

Diane von Furstenberg S/S 2010, Photo credit: Style.com

Marc Jacobs S/S 2010, Photo credit: Style.com