Spring 2007 Fashion Week Notebook | Jay McCarroll
September 21st, 2006
Photo Credit: NY Metro
Key Takeaways: Structured, chic, slick, monochrome or bright? We’re having a hard time putting one word to Jay McCarroll’s (of Project Runway Season 1 fame) debut solo show after winning back in 2005. (By the way, check out the adorable different colored headphones from his ‘05 collection.) Having met Mr. McCarroll backstage for an interview, we can see why it’d be hard for him to stick with the neutrals and strict shapes that many of the other designers preferred for this season. We loved that his show spanned the spectrum of literal black to white to yellow to blue to green to a mix, but the varied shapes made it occasionally hard to draw a cohesive sense from the line. Nevertheless, the rooster and helium blimp-prints in varying sizes along with the patchwork feel set this collection aside from others.
On a side-note, no fur was used in this line. Jay paired up with the Humane Society of the United States to reinforce the fact that fur does not need to be obtained from cruel sources. We applaud you, Jay McCarroll! You can see us wearing the red and white heart-shaped "no FUR" button during his interview. As a gift for our loyal Omiru readers, we’re giving
away five of these exclusively-designed buttons for the first five commenters on this post — just leave your name and email!
Color Palette: We saw solids in plain black and white along with blends of canary yellow, yellow-green, blues and turquoise and browns separately and sometimes all at once (see image above).
Silhouettes: Mirroring his balloon prints, lean and volume-infused silouettes dominated Jay McCarroll’s collection. A bright turquoise tank dress with side detail and an A-line see-through raincoat paraded after a gothic stiff crinoline "Little-Bo-Peep-Meets-Black-Sheep" dress complete with hooded shrug and sheer lace footless tights. Loose, long coats for men came in silver and charcoal black for a true rockstar feel. We took note of cuffed short-shorts, long flowy patchwork dresses, and minis and skinny pants in a variety of colors.
Accessories Report: Watch out! Sunglasses in white, black and smoke and blue (pictured) are here for Spring 2007. We loved the adorable etched flat plastic globes made into necklaces and other accessories and the singularly outrageous bird in a cage looped casually around a model’s neck. Male flipflops and flats and wide-strapped heels for women adorned feet in whites and blacks. Bowling and duffle bags in various colors were also paraded down the runways.
What’s Wearable: The short-sleeve patchwork dress in the mock-turtleneck with the complementary squares of color is just too gosh darn cute to pass up. Also, the striped off the shoulder sweater works well for Winter ‘06 along with the calf-length tights in heather grey with three buttons on the side of each leg.
What’s Not Wearable: Highly structured and puffed shoulders along with a bee-like black and yellow striped sweater are more theatrical then off-the-runway wearable.
Hear what Jay McCarroll has to say about the Humane Society in our exclusive backstage interview.
Entry Filed under: Men,Runway Reviews,Runway Reviews,Runway Reviews,Trend,Women
14 Comments
1. cindy Wong | September 21st, 2006 at 6:55 am
Good for Jay! Glad to see he finally made his debut, which stores do you think would pick up his line?
2. shermie | September 21st, 2006 at 8:58 am
I’d love to get a button!
3. Mel Marcelo | September 21st, 2006 at 9:11 am
Buttons Buttons! Thanks for spotlighting such a quirky line and designer.
Even though his stuff might not fit in, there might be details/colors or vibes that will grow in a couple of seasons.
More “out there” lines, please!!!
-Mel
4. christina | September 21st, 2006 at 10:23 am
It looks like what I expected him to do.
5. Jennifer | September 21st, 2006 at 10:39 am
It’s great to finally see his debut collection! I love, love, love the top in the above picture. And it’s awesome that he’s bringing the Humane Society to Fashion Week. Go Jay! And buttons!
6. Sarah | September 21st, 2006 at 1:09 pm
Great job Jay!
I’ld love one of the noFUR buttons.
7. Buttons! | September 21st, 2006 at 1:25 pm
Thanks for the post (and button). It is awesome to see such a great designer do a more neutral and wearable line this year. I love his old stuff too.
– Kim
8. Trisha | September 21st, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Wow, the buttons went quick…thanks for the love, guys!
We unfortunately only have the five buttons, but for the #6 and #7 commenters, I’ll find another cool Fashion Week giveaway
-Trisha
9. Trisha | September 25th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
Point taken, Mel. We’ll scout out some more lines that are still under the radar!
10. aj karen | September 28th, 2006 at 9:28 am
If you write to HSUS.org they will send you a button. The Humane Society of the United States sponsored Jay’s show because he has promised not use fur or leather. HSUS.org has a video and web feature on Jay.
11. Trisha | September 28th, 2006 at 11:37 pm
Thanks for the heads-up, AJ!
12. Katie | September 29th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
I felt Jay’s collection really lived up to the expectation that was out there. It was completely original, and undeniably “Jay”. I think Urban Outfitters should pick up his line immediately. It really goes along with the kinds of clothes you find in their stores. I’ve written them online asking them to pick up his line. So lets all write them! If there’s the demand, then perhaps they will listen! And just when I didn’t think I could love Jay any more, I hear he’s advocating with the Humane Society for animal rights (banning fur!) Who knew – the saucy seamstress has a heart of gold! Way to go Jay! Loved the show, the little details really made this collection great and the show such a success. The metal bracelets & necklaces were my favorites. the bird cage was adorable, it really softened the harshness of the bright yellow dress I thought. Also loved the grometted skirt, the perfectly blended pallette of the patchwork tunic (show above), and the geometric jacket with the white, blue & green blocks. The mens collection was fantastic too. Another reason that I think Urban Outfitters should pick up this line TO-DAY. I can’t say enough good things about this collection, so I’ll just stop here. Remember folks, we have to request our favorite stores start carry Jay’s line. We can help! And we can also help by supporting Jay’s (and the Humane Society’s) cause by not wearing fur. Even buying a sweater with a tiny fur trim supports cruelty. I think the fashion industry is long overdue for a wake up call on this issue.
13. Kelsey | October 23rd, 2006 at 7:20 am
I met Jay last Saturday the 21st in Scranton PA.He was a fucking BLAST. Not only is he insanely talented with clothing,and fashion.Hes charming,and humble.
someone pick up his line soon,and get it out there to the public. PA-
LEASE
14. Martin McCarroll | May 19th, 2007 at 7:18 am
Best!!!! brand name I’ve ever seen lol
I’m a bit one eyed because I have the same name.