Images courtesy Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Thursday, Feb. 19 saw Mackage’s presentation of their Fall/Winter ’09 Collection, a study in the juxtaposition of the opposing elements of light and dark, matte and shiny, and masculine and feminine. The Canadian design duo Elisa Dahan and Eran Elfassy added sleek separates and chic accessories to the only outerwear brand to show at the tents during Fashion Week. The slim-fitting, warm coats central to the line continued with their approach to “outerwear as an integral element of fashionable dressing.” Those familiar with Mackage noted their signature one-sided scarf collars and garment-washed leather in many pieces; wool and leather over-the-knee boot-covers, zippered gloves, and tight-fitting leather pants rounded out the looks, imbuing them with a tough chic sensibility. Of special note was a black-on-charcoal wool/cashmere double-breasted plaid coat, with a high collar and full pleated skirt, cinched by a black leather corset belt; a tan fur bomber jacket with caramel leather sleeves paired over slit cocoa skinny jeans a knee-high riding boots; and an off-white hip-length puffy parka with wool cable-knit trim, topping off white leggings and off-white leather boot covers.
Prior to the runway show the brand was also involved in sponsoring a coat drive February 13 through the 22nd in conjunction with Housing Works. New Yorkers were invited to donate coats at any of the Housing Works Thrift Shops’ seven participating locations. In an effort to increase awareness and raise money to support this initiative, celebrity fans of the line – such as Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, and Lindsay Price – donated autographed Mackage coats to the boutiques, which were auctioned online at Shophousingworks.com from February 7-19.
For more runway photos see http://mbfashionweek.com/newyork/fall2009/designers/mackage/
-Carly J. Cais
