GFW Day 4: Mikho Karajito; Pigskins & Ponytails

The designer with a model in his one-piece design

There is one word to describe Miguel Blanco's Mikho Karajito show: perfection. Upon entering the show guests were treated to chocolate cupcakes, "compliments of Mikho," presented along with a mini collection look book. Before his show began, a commercial video was projected on surrounding screens gearing the crowd for what was to come. As the screens went up, the show immediately began with a chiseled, male model standing in the dark, head of the runway. The music, a hard-bassed tribal soundtrack, thumped in guests hearts as models stomped on the stage with heavy strides, oiled-bodies, Avatar-length braids and barcode tattoos. The accessories done by Courtney Lee Designs provided just the right touch of worldly, ethnic accents with harsh, forward thinking edges.

The scene was all of a futuristic tribe, a complete contrast to the Sironna Swimwear line the night before. This line wasn't about flirtiness and fun, it was about structure and sensuality. Miguel's use of work-wear fabrics like wool and tweed patterns made for swimwear that is not so much meant to be swam in, but seen in. The men's swimwear cascaded in lengths from boy-short briefs, to low-waisted, mid-thigh designs and knee-length board-shorts, most young men are used to.

Surely Miguel's experience as an art director, helped make his first line, which he created entirely in three months, into the full-blown, loved spectacle that it was. We look forward to what he will come up with next, which although he confesses he hasn't had much time to think about, will probably be in the range out outerwear.


PIGSKINS & PONYTAILS


Pigskins & Ponytails took the stage to remind sports fans that you don't have to be tacky to be spirited. The line used different shades of orange and blue to create looks that were Gator-oriented without looking uniformy. "We want our customers to be fantastic in their own beauty," says Sarah Bess, vice president of the line. The motto "game day couture everyday," was reflected in the fun, sexy dresses that paraded down the runway. Blue was the headlining color of the collection, with accents, like bows and belts bringing forth the Gator orange. Because we're still not over sailor stripes, we love the line's use of navy-and-white striped dresses.

While the styles were cute and wearable, we really have to call attention to the quality of the clothes, which were all made to fit and flatter, a contrast to most game-day wear you find at bookstores and athletic shops. Rounding out the line's full game-day outfitting were accessories like gum-sized orange and blue crystal necklaces and bracelets. Here's to hoping we see more of these looks come this Gator football season.

- Stephanie Granada, photos by Sarah Hsu

Check back for our BobbyK review this afternoon!