September 5, 2007

Promises of brilliant designs fresh out of Parsons and a gritty rock-and-roll after-party featuring Slinky Vagabond—a band comprised of the Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock, Blondie’s Clem Burke, Bowie guitarist Earl Slick and designer Keanan Duffty—caused fashion insiders and celebrities to swarm the GenArt event. Genart funded shows for 12 emerging designers, and considering all the pomp surrounding the fashion and accessories show, none lived up to expectations.  Accessories labels Arielle de Pinto, Knox, Madison Harding and Yarborough displayed uninspired, neo-bohemian designs, while clothing by Bensoni, Dagmar, Delphyne Guiraud, Grace Sun, Mooka Kinney, Whistle & Flute, A-Z, and Young Meagher became mired in the mod and hippie looks of the seventies. Paisley romper suits, magenta trapeze dresses, and wide-legged pants were a redundant homage to a bygone era.

The disappointment of the show was echoed in the lackluster sound of Slinky Vagabond as the five aged rock stars unsuccessfully attempted a return to their glory days. Wearing Dylan boots filched from the sixties and Mick’s old velvet cutaways, they played a monotonous set driven by a pounding baseline. Even Keanan Duffty, designer for Kid Robot and the new high-end name supporting Target fashions, brought little panache to the stage.