This weekend I had the pleasure of attending and shooting backstage at New Orleans Fashion Week. I've been attending NOLA FW on and off for the past two years. Since 2011, the production has grown tremendously. This year, the runway shows were at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
H&M Blazer / Hawkings McGill Heart Shirt / Cheap Monday Denim / Zara Chelsea Boots
I arrived at the New Orleans Museum of Art just in time to catch Matt Arthur's SS 2014 showcase. The Project Runway alum has become a staple of New Orleans Fashion Week over the years, consistently delivering amazing garments with a New Orleans flare.
Matt's menswear-heavy collection effortlessly mixed religious imagery, florals, and tribal prints. In a town largely dominated by department store brands, Matt offers a fresh and invigorating approach to men's fashion. My favorite pieces included a pair of tribal overalls and a collared black mesh-bottom crop top (I'm gonna need that one ASAP).
Closing out Thursday's fashion exhibition was my dear friend and sexy mermaid, Noel Martin. Since debuting at NOLAFW in March, Noel has been dominating New Orleans' catwalks with her eccentric and eclectic designs. I had the pleasure to shoot Noel's collection backstage and on the runway.
Noel's sophomore effort blew my mind. Can you say melancholy pastel goth bondage party? The collection's white leather jackets, overalls, and pink & blue furs were paired with floral crowns, white veils, and lucite O-ring collars. The 90's-infused designs were paired with a dark and morose soundtrack from the likes of Lady Gaga and Lana Del Rey. In a season domination by sweet and summery designs, Noel stayed true to her form and offered a delightfully macabre spring collection.
On Friday night, I returned to NOMA to support emerging designer Christopher Rogers. A native of Baton Rouge, Christopher first showed at New Orleans Fashion Week in October 2011 as half of teen design-duo Rogersliu. Since his first effort, Chris has been pursuing fashion design at Savannah College of Art and Design.
Chris' show was nothing short of amazing. The collection — complete with sequined collars, iridescent dresses, and glittering pasties — exuded femininity and finesse.
Until next time,
graham