Frank Tell’s presentation got off to a late start; after over 45 minutes of waiting outside Lincoln Center’s Box venue, guests were corralled into the space, where they circled what appeared to be a large sandbox in the center of the room. As a woodsy, smoky scent wafted through the premises (a fragrance collab between Tell, artist Lisa Kirk, parfumeur Patricia Choux, and Ulrich Lang New York Fragrances, as it happens), guests watched a video of a frizzy-haired, fur-suited Meghan Collison wandering across an arctic tundra. Then, out came the clothes: a conceptual, directional mix of savage fur, crystallized lace, and beautiful, raw-hem alligator jackets. Tell also worked in a handful of his signature wild knits in shades of mossy green and icy gray, each one woven with a variety of gnarled, tangled, twisted yarns. Meanwhile, asymmetrical lace and chiffon frocks added a darkly romantic note to the overall aesthetic.

NOTE: We just heard from Hector Meza, Tell’s business partner, who informed us that due to the high volume of guests in attendance, the collection was shown in two separate presentations. To clarify, we attended the second of the two showings, hence the 45-minute-long wait.

The show notes explained that Tell had been inspired by “the concept of entropy as an agent of change” as well as movies like Mad Max and Planet of the Apes, and it certainly showed in the Abominable-Snowman-style shaggy jackets and shredded hemlines. Wearable and practical? Well, no, but these risky looks certainly had an interesting point of view. As for this young designer’s next creative move? Only time will, um, Tell.

Photos courtesy of Style.com