2010 West 18th Street Fashion Show
Review/Photography
Betsy Blodgett, co-owner of bon bon atelier, reviews the 10th Annual West 18th Street Fashion Show with the theme, A Decadent Summer. Photographer Todd Zimmer hunkered in the bullpen at the end of the runway to capture the night's fashion, models, and spectacle frame by frame.
The Kansas City arts community breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday when the veritable monsoon that had been soaking the town most of the day dried up and blew along on its merry way, leaving a sunny sky and a dry (if humid) evening for the annual West 18th Street Fashion Show.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the show and assured A Decadent Summer evening for its spectators. The producers promised an amped up show this year and delivered with a stage dripping with chandeliers and designers showing clothing inspired by the photographer Edward Steichen. (An exhibit on Steichen chronicling his years working for Conde' Nast can be seen at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art through July)
The show kicked off in excellent fashion, with an opening performance by Shay Estes and The People's Liberation Big Band, led by Mark Southerland. Sarah Nelson then led off the evening with a tailored collection that included a black leather jacket and gray skirt combo that was an interesting combination of a 1930s suit style, but with a futuristic edge to it.
One early standout was Shannon Bailey, who showed some lovely sundresses in swiss dot, seersucker, and lace. Pink and white were her colors du jour, and her summery, wearable clothes would have been snapped up in a minute, judging by the comments of the women surrounding me.
Amanda Nervig was next with some amazing color-blocked knit mini-dresses. One of my favorites was an asymmetrical red, white and near pea green dress with a red ruffle at both the neck and hemline.
Kaylin Hertel (with accessories by Erica Voetsch) perked up the middle of the show with her first look—a fitted print romper with knee length shorts and an obi-like belt made out of what looked like Liberty of London fabric. This was another look that had the crowd around me saying unanimously, "I want that!"
Another crowd favorite, Katie Coble, showed white on white marsupial jumpsuits with optional sac dresses that could be worn over the suits, or stored in the pouch openings along the bodice.
Rachel Rolon ran to the surreal side of life with her collection, my favorite being a gown whose neckline/bodice was studded with plastic baby arms and pearls. Nataliya Meyer really brought the decadence to the show with her exquisitely corseted ballgowns. Layers and layers of tulle and chiffon were whipped into dreamy puffs of dresses that would have been perfect for Marie Antoinette's courtesans.
The show stopper of the night had to be—once again—Peggy Noland.
On arrival at the show, spectators sitting in the first few rows took note of the plastic bags that were provided because Peggy's collection could get a little "messy." And how.
As Peggy's collection was announced and the crowd took a look at the first model coming down the runway, there was a frenzy of plastic on laps and in front of faces. At the edge of the stage stood a model in a costume that looked like it came from the trippiest episode of HR Puffnstuff. Layers of fabrics, yarn, horsehair and a plethora of other uncontrollable materials covered the model from head to toe. As the model walked down the runway it became abundently clear why plastic bags were provided, for the model was slathered, dripping and ooozing food. Ketchup, mustard, corn, and who knows what else were left on a trail behind him and splattered on the audience. It vaguely reminded me of Pizza the Hut from the Mel Brooks' comedy, Spaceballs.
"That is so disgusting," said a girl behind me. And it was—smells included. But it was also hilarious. The spectators went wild for the collection, including the poor souls in the front row who had to keep their mouths closed while they grinned and hid behind a wall of plastic. One couldn't help but appreciate the exuberence of the models as they danced and twisted and splattered the crowd.
After Peggy's sensory shocking collection, the Birdies' girls went by in a bit of a blur having to dodge ketchup-soaked bread and other mysterious globs on the runway. However, they carried on the food theme with awesome ice cream sundae headresses made by Coki Bijoux.
Finally, with a quick bow from the hardworking producers and musicians the show was over. The crowd dispersed into the humid night, excitedly chatting about fashion favorites and foibles from the show—already looking forward to next year's show.
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