Last night, Rachel Comey hosted the best kind of fashion week event—one that involves food. And she kindly invited us backstage to scope out the collection before her other dinner guests arrived. The venue: Pioneer Works, Dustin Yellin's converted factory and artists' space way (way) out in Red Hook. On the menu: a dinner party with food by Julia Ziegler-Haynes of The Dinner Bell, live music by drag cabaret singer Justin Vivian Bond (including a beautiful cover of The Cure's "Love Song"), and of course Rachel's new collection.
Backstage, Rachel and her team dressed models in a spring collection with an easy, 70s-inflected vibe. Starting from the ground up: The shoes were perfect as ever and included Birkenstock-style slides, horesbit loafer mules, and suede sandals with chunky hiking boot soles. Voluminous dresses, culottes, and shorts came in denim with frayed edges. Matching flared skirts and sweaters were patterned with a custom marble print. And textured belted leather jackets topped things off. Accented with pops of bright lace and velvet, it looked as delicious as the berry-covered sponge cakes under construction in the kitchen. Below, a quick two-minutes-to-go Q&A with Rachel.
Alice Newell-Hanson: If the collection were the wardrobe for a trip, where would that trip be to?
Rachel Comey: Maybe a staycation? This girl seems pretty grounded in the city, but she might be reading about exotic travel.
Favorite piece? And favorite shoe?
So many favorites, it's hard to pick. I love Look 7 for the combo of ostrich feathers, voluminous cotton, painter denim, and drapy trench and Look 12 for the all-in-one tan cotton suit with horsebit loafers.
What made you want to take a different approach to presenting this collection?
It feels good to try new things.
Were there any notable mishaps during the preparations?
Just draping an idea for one garment and ending up with another. Notable because of the pleasant surprise.
What are your plans for after the show?
Celebrate with my team!
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The waiters wore Rachel Comey shoes. Obvs. Photos by Matthew Kelly
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Rachel (in white jumpsuit) helping with a fitting
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Backstage, Rachel and her team dressed models in a spring collection with an easy, 70s-inflected vibe. Starting from the ground up: The shoes were perfect as ever and included Birkenstock-style slides, horesbit loafer mules, and suede sandals with chunky hiking boot soles. Voluminous dresses, culottes, and shorts came in denim with frayed edges. Matching flared skirts and sweaters were patterned with a custom marble print. And textured belted leather jackets topped things off. Accented with pops of bright lace and velvet, it looked as delicious as the berry-covered sponge cakes under construction in the kitchen. Below, a quick two-minutes-to-go Q&A with Rachel.
Alice Newell-Hanson: If the collection were the wardrobe for a trip, where would that trip be to?
Rachel Comey: Maybe a staycation? This girl seems pretty grounded in the city, but she might be reading about exotic travel.
Favorite piece? And favorite shoe?
So many favorites, it's hard to pick. I love Look 7 for the combo of ostrich feathers, voluminous cotton, painter denim, and drapy trench and Look 12 for the all-in-one tan cotton suit with horsebit loafers.
What made you want to take a different approach to presenting this collection?
It feels good to try new things.
Were there any notable mishaps during the preparations?
Just draping an idea for one garment and ending up with another. Notable because of the pleasant surprise.
What are your plans for after the show?
Celebrate with my team!
The waiters wore Rachel Comey shoes. Obvs. Photos by Matthew Kelly
Rachel (in white jumpsuit) helping with a fitting
