With 8 gajillion shows to compete with, it's tricky for designers to find new ways to set themselves apart. So, when we heard Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos of
Shipley & Halmos
had chosen an intimate pre-Fashion Week showing of their new fall '10 line in their SoHo studio over a traditional presentation, we were there. And, without 10 other shows to juggle, we got a finer sense of what this duo is really up to. It seems this new collection is a subtle fusion of the past four seasons—a deft mix of whimsy, sophistication, innovation, and a sort of casual luxury the boys are becoming known for (the designers cited dual forces, ie: Action versus Containment, as the main point of reference). The play on contrasts worked as there were so many wantable pieces, we kind of lost count. But among the front-runners was a slouchy pencil skirt (hitting just below the knee, it's definitely our length of the season), a fitted leather bomber/biker jacket, some very sexy high-waisted jeans, and a long, flowing KILLER duster coat that seemed as though it might have magical powers. And, what will these two be up to while everyone is guzzling Red Bull and wondering where Anna is? "We might head upstate to research the old arts-and-crafts printmaker, Roycroft." Can we come?
