This season, Band of Outsiders designer Scott Sternberg took a totally new approach to the fashion presentation. Two models went head-to-head in a day-long scavenger hunt around New York, checking in at BoO Game Control (a roving glass-walled bus) after each challenge. There, they'd change into a new FW13 look and pick up the next clue for the following destination. Band streamed it all live from the van, which I was able to catch in Union Square, and cameras also trailed each of the models as they raced around town. Photos of each look were then posted to the Band of Outsiders Instagram, #mattvsmiles. The clues were posted online as well, encouraging you to play along, go outside, and see the looks in action.
So no stage, no runway, just Internet.
I visited Scott, his right hand woman Nicole, and models Matthew Hitt and Miles Garber at BoO Game Control to get the low down on how this was all playing out.
Scott Sternberg: Welcome to my office!
Daria Radlinski: I love what you’ve done with the place!
Scott Sternberg: It’s pretty rad! This rug came from my house, these chairs come from our showroom, and pretty much the rest of the stuff is from our Paris show. Oh except for the TV––I mean, the "Commodore 64 Monitor."
Daria Radlinski: I would expect nothing less. So how did you get Matt and Miles to agree to do this?
Matthew Hitt: There was some blackmail about this "video"... That’s basically why I did it.
Miles Garber: Something about 2.2 million dollars...
Matthew Hitt: It started with a kiss… and it's ended with a see-through van. That’s all you need to know.
Miles Garber: Wait... How did you convince us to do this?
Matthew Hitt: There was a phone call to the agency, a day rate, and an agreement––
Scott Sternberg:––and a blowjob.
Matthew Hitt: Yes.
Miles Garber: Dude, I think I just made Nicole cry. Finally!
Nicole Cari: Today has been like what you're experiencing right now, but non-stop.
Daria Radlinski: Oh God... Is there a bathroom on this bus at least?
Scott Sternberg: No, there is no bathroom on this bus. We just have to hope that there's a Starbucks or a Hale & Hearty Soups somewhere nearby.
Daria Radlinski: So what made you decide to do a scavenger hunt instead of a runway show?
Scott Sternberg: Well, we’ve always been a bit contrarian. We used to do these movie presentations awhile back. Last season in Paris, we stuck a model in a gallery window for three days [and live streamed all 72 hours]. This is sort of part two; we tried to up the stakes and have a little more fun. Plus, this collection is inspired by maps so, it somehow felt like we had to have a scavenger hunt!
Daria Radlinski: Haha well, obviously!
Scott Sternberg: Duh!
Daria Radlinski: How did you choose the destinations of the hunt?
Scott Sternberg: We tried to choose really Band-esque locations. Like Chelsea Piers, where we had our first show on a boat, which Matt was actually in. We also had them head to the Tumblr offices and take a picture with T
So no stage, no runway, just Internet.
I visited Scott, his right hand woman Nicole, and models Matthew Hitt and Miles Garber at BoO Game Control to get the low down on how this was all playing out.
Scott Sternberg: Welcome to my office!
Daria Radlinski: I love what you’ve done with the place!
Scott Sternberg: It’s pretty rad! This rug came from my house, these chairs come from our showroom, and pretty much the rest of the stuff is from our Paris show. Oh except for the TV––I mean, the "Commodore 64 Monitor."
Daria Radlinski: I would expect nothing less. So how did you get Matt and Miles to agree to do this?
Matthew Hitt: There was some blackmail about this "video"... That’s basically why I did it.
Miles Garber: Something about 2.2 million dollars...
Matthew Hitt: It started with a kiss… and it's ended with a see-through van. That’s all you need to know.
Miles Garber: Wait... How did you convince us to do this?
Matthew Hitt: There was a phone call to the agency, a day rate, and an agreement––
Scott Sternberg:––and a blowjob.
Matthew Hitt: Yes.
Miles Garber: Dude, I think I just made Nicole cry. Finally!
Nicole Cari: Today has been like what you're experiencing right now, but non-stop.
Daria Radlinski: Oh God... Is there a bathroom on this bus at least?
Scott Sternberg: No, there is no bathroom on this bus. We just have to hope that there's a Starbucks or a Hale & Hearty Soups somewhere nearby.
Daria Radlinski: So what made you decide to do a scavenger hunt instead of a runway show?
Scott Sternberg: Well, we’ve always been a bit contrarian. We used to do these movie presentations awhile back. Last season in Paris, we stuck a model in a gallery window for three days [and live streamed all 72 hours]. This is sort of part two; we tried to up the stakes and have a little more fun. Plus, this collection is inspired by maps so, it somehow felt like we had to have a scavenger hunt!
Daria Radlinski: Haha well, obviously!
Scott Sternberg: Duh!
Daria Radlinski: How did you choose the destinations of the hunt?
Scott Sternberg: We tried to choose really Band-esque locations. Like Chelsea Piers, where we had our first show on a boat, which Matt was actually in. We also had them head to the Tumblr offices and take a picture with T