NYFW Presentation: Erin Barr Spring 2013

If you’ve ever wondered what a Frank Stella x Marilyn Monroe collab might look like, wonder no more. Erin Barr’s Spring 2013 collection is inspired by the concept of “what-if” Frank and Marilyn had crossed paths in their respective careers in the late 1950s. The result? Killer clothes with silhouettes that are both hard and soft, edgy and feminine, sleek and sexy.

What I loved about this collection was how Barr incorporated just enough of a 50s throwback into looks that are clean, modern, and very cool. Also to love is the mixture of fabrics—satin jersey, twill, poplin, leather, French terry, and chiffon—all of which play off each other to create that Stella/Monroe hard-softness.

The lines are clean and geometric, witnessed especially in the cut-outs that make the dresses fun and uber sexy, and the panels of sheer go all too well with the crisp poplin and twill, and not to mention that black leather top. Barr kept the palette simple, sticking to light gray, white, black and red, and though the collection was mostly made up of solids, she threw in some bold patterns reminiscent of some of Stella’s earlier works.

The presentation featured models lounging on or around Eames chairs, Saarinen tables, and other mid-century modern pieces provided by Bright Lyons, all of which added to the cool factor of Barr’s show. To add to this laid-back atmosphere were stacks of books for some casual flipping, a vintage radio, and a record player with some vinyls strewn on the floor around it. Staged as a living tableau, it was fun to watch the models get up, one-at-a-time, walk around the set, chat with a fellow model, pick up an album and peruse the back cover, and then settle back into a another lounger on the other side of the room.

Oh and to top it off, the shades and glasses (mostly of the cat-eye variety, of course!) were supplied by Moscot.