Topic: Fashion Week Charity Kickoff - A Review

Darien Fenner

Date: 2010-02-09 16:39 EST
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx21/dfenner_photo/521311356_3ef416f175-1.jpg Gossip Columnist: Emmet "The It Man" Bane

Fashion Week Charity Kickoff - A Review February 9, 2010

Maya Angelou talked about butterflies once. Something about how we rarely admit the changes a butterfly has gone through, though we truly delight in its beauty.

Now I'm not a fashion snob' alright. I totally am. But don't even get me started on some of Koy's earlier designs. I have to admit that I found last year's line a little old-fashioned for RhyDin's contemporary tenor. This place is a technological and economic hotspot, and is constantly being invaded by new races bringing new products and ideas. I personally would have liked to see a little more than Terran influence in some of her older designs. Terran fashion is great; don't get me wrong. But RhyDin may as well be one big spaceport for the rotating cultures it receives. And some species have truly beautiful fashion.

Take Underdark Drow, for instance. Stay with me here, folks! Yeah, a lot of the Drow we know around here tend to dress on the quirky side. But looking at classic Drow fashion - I'm talking about from three-hundred years ago, ladies and gents - we see a lot of form fitting, matte-like fabrics that are secured with mithril bands. Bold, Rothe hide boots and treated spider silk scarves would actually make for a gorgeous pseudo-gothic look this autumn! Take notes!

But I digress! What I'm trying to say is that a lot of people will often look at a work of art without recognizing the effort it took to get there. News flash, people! Fashion is a tough industry! An eat or be-eaten kind of scenario! I have to give it up to Koy for being able to hang in this long and be popular. Just what is it about her designs that keeps people coming back for more"

This past Sunday, a few of my colleagues had the opportunity to check out the Fashion Week Charity Kickoff, which showcased Koy's new Chrysalis Collection. What a clich", precious little name. I kind of feel like the butterfly theme they were going for was a little forced at times, but I get it. It's supposed to signify change, right' Clever.

The show started off kicking, featuring Wyheree Ravenlock in a gorgeous, ethereal number that reminds me a little bit of elvish design. Long, draping, lacy white fabrics look really spectacular with her complexion and elegant features. A five for Koy on that design, minus a few decimal points from her model for sculpting her own accessory. I think it's a brilliant idea for Anything-but-Cold Ice Queen Wyh to showcase her abilities, but she might want to brush up on the symbolism of a show before she makes her own contribution. Ice butterfly wings would be cute anywhere else, but ice notoriously stands for permanence, parochialism, and death. Wasn't the BBI theme supposed to be about change and rebirth' Whoops!

The next few pieces were completely charming, and specialized in the over-emphasis of desirable attributes. Ruffle complimented model Damarco's busting" er" bust quite nicely, though she probably could have done better with a larger size, or a bolder design. Sources tell me she was this close to having a wardrobe malfunction. Where were the costume techs doing last-minute alterations" That girl is curvy, and those designs are delicate. Besides, she strikes me more as an in-your-face kind of beauty. I'd have liked to have seen her in something striking, and not quite as mute as the hot pink number Koy had her in. Then again, the show is supposed to be about the designer, and not the models, so maybe I'm just letting out hot air for no reason.

One thing I am suuuuuper stoked about is Koy's feature of Lilliana McClae. She had this curvy, bubbly flower child in a form-flattering silk set. You want to talk about lighting up the runway' That woman stole the show! The white set was an excellent design on Koy's part, and a superb choice for Flower Child Lilli's fiery mane. Remind me why she doesn't model full time"

Following closely on her heels was "heartbreaker" Jamie Prince, in a piece that I am sad to say was all wrong for the collection. The delicate, flowy, feminine line was completely interrupted by a dauntless, too-revealing one-piece in black that one might find in a more" er" licentious mag, as opposed to a high-end couture catalogue where Koy Fashion is usually found. I have to wonder if she came up with these designs for the sole purpose of pleasing the models, and not using the show to showcase her full creativity.

As if making up for it, Luce Smix modeled a ballerina-inspired lace slip with garters that merited more than one wolf whistle from the audience. There is something incredibly sexy about a truly feminine design that leaves much to the imagination. Granted, the most concealing pieces of clothing these girls were wearing were the occasional navel-covering teddy, but I've always believed fantasy is better than reality. This show is no exception!

The show closed out with Tara Ryneiyn in a hot, dark blue number that would have looked superb on just about any other model. The thick, horizontal stripe of lace down the design's center unfortunately cut the already petite model in half, and reduced her a good two inches in height. An extra pair of stripes under-arm would have added length and slenderness to Tenacious Tara. I must say, though, blue is the perfect choice for a red-haired hottie! Props to the designer for palette choice! Absolutely beautiful!

All in all, the show went off without a hitch, and I hear it earned quite a bit charity-wise to benefit the Sanyumato Relief fund and the JRC. Looking at Koy's other works, the Chrysalis Collection is undoubtedly massively and beautifully improved, minus a few inconsistencies here and there. But I imagine she spent more of her energy on putting the event together than she did working out her designs, so I'm still willing to give her a 4 out of 5 stars for effort. I know I can't wait to see what else she has in store for Millie & Mallie's and the Heavenly Boutique! Keep us posted!