Backstage at the sun-drenched Pier 59, a model zooms by. He stops across the room, kicks one side of the skateboard up and tosses it onto the couch before flashing a smile and walking back to hair and makeup. The juxtaposition between prep and street fall in parallel with Patrik Ervell’s collection this season. Ervell has turned to his surroundings for inspiration in urban architecture, decay, machinery, etc. The inspiration is evident not only in appearance but in application as well — specifically in his use of oxidized metals with fabric.
“I was trying to think of new American motifs and came upon this idea of oxidized metals,” Ervell notes. “Everything with print that you see in this collection was made by oxidizing metals on fabric, so we did iron oxide, which is rust and also copper oxide, which is sort of the minty green color…” Ervell also customized several pairs of shoes (Clarks Wallabees) with rusty nails to provide a similar look. Overall, the cut of the clothing remains slim and offers a refreshing contrast to the affect of the metals.
The hair, says Patrik, was inspired by early images of Jesus and Mary Chain. Tim Bricker of BB Color Studio explains, “As Patrick Ervell’s designs were all about the blending of textures. The hair design became an extension of that, blending kinky with soft frizz and meshing it all together for a beautiful balance.”
For more behind the scenes images from Patrik’s show see New York Fashion Week: Backstage by Ashley Simko.
