Badgley Mischka NYFW Spring 2018

Buried within the freak show and swamp that has become NYFW is another brand that seems to have outlived the ones who are now drowning in hype and praying for their celebrity Instagram moment. Some will say oh it and Jeffrey are so old fashioned, so irrelevant and so tone deaf to the times, but I say … gee…  I remember beautiful clothes, pretty clothes, feminine clothes and clothes that actually have appeal on a hanger or on a body. Clothes that actually sell!

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These are the clothes that require no bullshit background stories, no pretense,  nor any hyper faux intelligent inspirations and babbling. If you take away the moniker they are the clothes that so many brands within this orbit of fashion have abandoned in search of that millennial non-existent customer base. Their longevity speaks to their ability to actually sell, actually be worn and speak to the women of any age who understand elegance and class not KLASS.

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The collection hits whatever has been the trend path of the season and yet there is no visible panty, nipple or transparency in sight. Imagine having the audacity to believe in yourself and offer clothes to those clients that you have assiduously catered to over the years. 

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I tip my hat to them and say shame on you fashion media for barely paying suitable or sufficient homage to such a brand and their designers! 

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PS ... those oversized flowers ….  Not such a great idea!

Badgley Mischka fall 2014 new York Collections

These 2 men cut their chops during an era when the greats of 7^th Avenue were still designing. Keeping that in mind, this team honed their skills over time and developed a collection, or collections, that cohesively exist within the world of retail.

 

 

I know I am not supposed to discuss a collection in terms of wearability or salability but these guys have managed to combine the two aspects and deliver clothes that are beautifully executed as well as designed; you  know that “designers who design” thing that I keep bringing up.

 

To be sure,  the media elite will either pay the collection  some lip service or deliver some half-baked review since Mark and James are no longer the sweethearts they once were and aren’t really that concerned about designing trend driven styles. Instead of that, they favor offering clothes that do not require all the rhetoric, instructions and inspirations that you must grow tired of me speaking about.

 

Simple said, Badgley Mischka is not of the blah blah blah school of design. The facts are that the collection is all about textures, richness and fabrications that project a luxe quality and never over the top. If one is astute enough you might notice a bit of a Klimt thing going on in the evening wear with the fold embroideries and the rich brocades.

 

And now for another verboten sentiment... these are clothes that real people can wear; yes these are clothes of mothers of the bride and bar mitzvah moms and young socials as well as red carpet types. Now I have spoiled it for everyone by bringing reality into the picture but as I keep reminding you, this is a business of selling clothes not just pleasing Anna and Grace and the like. Bottom line is that any of those real life ladies can be considered chic and sophisticated and they must be to appreciate the quality and styles of Badgley Mischka.

 

Personally, I think the collection echoes all the finest qualities and heritage of the once great 7^th Avenue designers who built and created American fashion while celebrating their women. These men continue to deliver consistently beautiful clothes season after season. They offer a polished look without all the bells and whistles that so many of their colleagues have opted for in place of well-designed clothes. Their long history speaks for itself; they learned their lessons well.