Arts & Entertainment
Ra’mon designs wow at Nova Fashion Week
Gay designer finds inspiration in bi model Grace Jones
The Raāmon Lawrence spring/summer 2011 collection for women and men seized the bravura assertiveness from one of filmās most androgynous icons, Grace Jones, and turned it into ironic, bold and at times sculptural garments for the grand finale of Nova Fashion Week 2010.
The spirit of the collection came from Jonesā daring, gender-bending look that was the sign of the times for the early part of the 1980s as women began to shake loose the shackles of rigid social and physical constraints of clothing.
Lawrence featured many ready-to-wear pieces that highlight and complement those key elements of Jonesā endearing and provocative image with a bold color palette, exquisite embellishments and summer tribal prints, while maintaining the lightness and air of a spring collection.
The opening of āGive Them Graceā was a series of short, youthful and weightless silhouettes (the show opened a few minutes behind) such as a sheer yellow chiffon blouse revealing flesh for a tongue-in-cheek appeal, and a silver iridescent sequined jacket (also sheer) paired with a semi-square neckline skirt that flowed continuously at the hem. Lawrenceās apparent obsession with transparency continued with a beige faux nude crochet shaggy-shouldered sweater that added an unexpected texture and nuanced feel to the collection.
āBold. 2033. ’80s silhouettes.ā was the message Lawrence wanted to spread to his audience and by the middle of his presentation, it was clear what this meant. It was as if he took the era of Grace Jones ā the excess, over-the-top, commercially covetable ’80s, and mixed it with the new restraint, simplicity of minimalism, no-frills chic that is omnipresent today in fashion.
One of his signature pieces that underscored that theme is a dress that is tailored and minimal, unfussy on the front except for a small transparent opening at the bust. The back mimics a sculptural collage and the possibilities of cloth by showcasing Lawrenceās fine workmanship of pleated techniques that he has garnered as an up-and-coming designer.Ā From the top it drapes and spirals around in one unbroken length. It explodes with exaggerated contours from the shoulders giving it an undulating volume that is in dramatic opposition to the columnar skirt that is worn.
The menswear collection is a reaction to the current menswear trends rather than trying to push the boundaries too much. It featured a familiar sportswear aesthetic that is reworked for inner-city youth looks.
The 2024 New York City Pride Parade wound through the streets of Manhattan and past the historic Stonewall Inn on Sunday, June 30.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
The fourth annual Fredericksburg Pride march and festival was held at Riverfront Park in Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday, June 29. The event began with a march around downtown Fredericksburg beginning and ending in the park.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Covering Fredericksburg Pride for @WashBlade . City Council member @WillMackintosh speaking: pic.twitter.com/tDdVD2IVsM
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) June 29, 2024
Photos
PHOTOS: Goodwin Living Pride
Senior living and healthcare organization holds fourth annual march at Falls Church campus
The senior living and healthcare organization Goodwin Living held its fourth annual community Pride march around its Bailey’s Crossroads campus in Falls Church, Va. with residents, friends and supporters on Tuesday, June 25. Following the march, a drag brunch was held with performances by drag artists of SADBrunch: Crimsyn, Sapphire Dupree and Evon Dior Michelle.
(Photos courtesy of Goodwin Living)
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