When it comes to the collections that New York designers produce, they tend to be pretty safe. There’s some obvious risk takers, like fashion’s darling child Alexander Wang, but designers tend to play it safe here. You can expect to see the usual “drapey” menswear guys like Public School or the more conservative designs from Carlos Campos or Ernest Alexander. What you got at the Hood By Air Fall/Winter 2014 show was a diverse, gender-bending and exciting experience.
Ball culture has come back into vogue in a whole new way lately. If you’ve seen the documentary Paris Is Burning, then you know exactly what I’m referring to. If you haven’t, you need to re-evaluate your life choices. During the 1980’s in New York City, LGBT ball culture was huge. With their own vocabulary and dance moves that showcased their will to fight, they took to the city streets in ganges referred to as “houses.” It seemed during this show that Hood By Air has become it’s own house.
READ MORE: THE BEST COATS FROM THE FALL 2014 SHOWS
Their models, a very diverse casting, were armed with nothing but different weave and the androgynous clothes they had on their back. I’m talking about men in crop tops, thigh-high boots, high-waisted shorts and feminine silhouettes. It was kind of comical in a way. Fashion is hardly defined by male and female and this was Hood By Air’s attempt at blurring those hard lines. It was a clear message sent out by the Hood By Air team and that was ferocity is not limited by gender.
