At 3 am, several months ago, I sat in a basement with Benjamin Cho. He told me his mother is an opera singer, and he grew up doing musical theater. So did I.
We discussed how “uncool” it is to admit, in certain circles of New York, in our circle of New York, how much we love show tunes.
Then we traded favorite songs.
Our connection was Jesus Christ Superstar, which we both adore.
Fast forward from Benjamin Cho to Benjamin’s show, which boasted Chloe Sevigny and Tara Subkoff in the front row, plus the Proenza Schouler boys.
Ben showed some cropped jackets with angular sleeves and button shoulders. You could actually wear them uptown. With jeans. Even in other states.
That’s sort of a trend this season – the emerging designers reigning the kook factor and luring bigger business. Erin Fetherston capped her poofs and Rodarte made some really incredible pants that actually fit the models.
Last year, Ben sent huge plexiglass hearts and displays of knit wit down the runway, and we swooned – but those jackets felt more solid, and also a series ribbed necklines that looked like window-blinds opened on skin.
There was a rope motif we didn’t get, and some Converse sneakers that looked like Muk-a-Luk boots that we would get if they were on sale.
At the end of the show, all the models came out and the music blared. It was the song “Everything’s Alright” from Jesus Christ Superstar, the original cast recording.
I started laughing and got a stern look from Olivier Zham, the editor-in-chief of Purple magazine.
Outside the Soho Grand, I spoke with Cathy Horyn about blogs, and the challenge of balancing what goes into a newspaper with what goes up – immediately – online.
The DJ Mike Nouveau drove me home on his Vespa. I was in a minidress and felt vaguely like I would die as we sped down Houston, too fast. It was the most fun I’ve had all week.
–FARAN