Gimme shelter: pitching a tent for fall

It's true that in our modern times, the world can prove to be harsh and chaotic. Fashion designers tread precarious ground between catering to our need to feel cozy and protected and our lust for courageously dangerous fashion. However, fall's muse is no skittish sophisticate hiding behind lumpy layers, but rather a brave urban Girl Scout who pitches her tent between the two camps. In his presentation for fall 2006 for Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs served up shelter in a very 21st-century sense, giving the audience models in detachable parka hoods and huge floppy safari-type hats resembling toadstools, which made them look almost as if they took their camping gear with them, tents and all! Heck, why stay in the woods, when you can take your jamboree on the road?

Frank E. de Jesus is a New York City-based freelance fashion editor.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Brant Publications, Inc.
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