And So It Begins

The spring 2009 fashion season is upon us and there was a long list of shows and presentations over the weekend. I wish I could say that things got off to a rocking good start, but no. Slow and steady.

Miguel Adrover: back in the game. (AP)Enlarge Image

I'm looking forward to the shows that typically have something provocative - or at least surprising - to say: Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, etc. By the way, was I the only person deeply disturbed by the photograph of Jacobs in the recent New Yorker style issue? He's posing in his skivvies like a piece of classical statuary.

It's a little, oh, what's the word I'm looking for? Self-reverential? But I'm sure the collection will be pure dee-lite. Can't wait. And wait. And wait.

Designer Miguel Adrover is back in the fashion game. He was hired by the organic, save-the-planet fashion house Hess Natur. I had a sneak peek at some of his ideas for spring in his third floor walk-up-and-up-and-up studio, and they were astonishing. He sculpted figures out of reclaimed wood and the clothes were displayed on them like works of art. More on the collection in my upcoming story, but it's nice to have Miguel back with his intriguing bag of tricks.

Andre peddles 1920s prep. (Getty)Enlarge Image

Also joining the fashion game is Andre Benjamin/Andre 3000 of Outkast fame. He launched his menswear line Benjamin Bixby, at Barneys New York on Thursday night. There weren't any models, just cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and the clothes on hangers and Andre in a straw hat. He was inspired by 1920 college football players and so the collection has a preppy vibe. There are wide wale corduroy slacks, polo shirts embroidered with a hot air balloon insignia and alpaca overcoats that made me itch just looking at them.

Andre - because we're on a first name basis after our five-minute conversation - explained that the direction of the line will change each season. He's financing the line himself - yee-ouch! - and is feeling the financial and emotional stress of being a new brand. Even celebrities struggle to deliver their merchandise to stores on time. And no, he has not given up music. Thank goodness. The line isn't exclusive to Barneys but should also be available at Neiman Marcus.

By Robin Givhan |  September 8, 2008; 7:30 AM ET New York
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