Cut and Paste

The boys at Proenza Schouler never cease to amaze me. They have recently opened their first store on Madison Avenue, marking their transition from bright new things to an established fixture on the New York fashion scene. Their latest collection feels familiar yet also strikingly new. The opening outfits of paneled space age fabrics, exotic animal skins and pops of bright colour are reminiscent of Balenciaga, yet are also unmistakably new, and perfect fit for the brand: sleek, modern with a hint of the unexpected. London has become the home of print during fashion month but Proenza Schouler have proven that London does not have a monopoly. Digital print dresses were given a new twist by cutting images into strips and stitching them together creating a striking collage of images that refused to merge. Tumblr was a reference point for the designers which ties the collection neatly together and shows that the boys have their fingers firmly placed on the pulse of youth culture. I think that Proenza Schouler are the strongest export that New York has. Their collections are constantly featured in British magazines even though their advertising is minimal. For me, concept, cut and print are the components of a good collection. Proenza Schouler always tick all three which is why I can't wait to see every collection they produce and why I'll keep singing their praises.