Unless your high school classes looked liked scenes from an Avril Lavigne video, the John Varvatos for Converse fashion show was nothing like your alma mater. Held in the Xavier High School gym on West 16th Street, the event—part rock concert and part pep rally—debuted Converse's first men's and women's sportswear collection. Converse director of PR and presence marketing Cheryl Calegari planned the event with AO Production's Owen Davidson.Aspects of the brand's sports, rock 'n' roll, and street influences inspired the decor. Bernhard-Link projected Converse's iconic star logo onto the gym floor, and the hanging basketball hoops supplied authentic, sporty decor. Photographer Mark Van S. shot guests' pictures, which were instantly displayed on two large screens that flanked the stage. DJ Steve Aoki spun an eclectic mix of current hits high above the crowd on bleachers covered with black fabric.
On the opposite stands, red curtains were pulled away to reveal models standing in clique-like groups, wearing Varvatos's collection for Converse. Strobe lights flashed behind the different groups, spotlighting each look. "The space was unpredictable and allowed us to showcase the models up close. The bleachers served as a built-in elevated surface, each level creating a separate staging platform and acting as props along with the walls, full of gymnasium equipment," Davidson said. DJ Javier Perval took over to play varsity game favorites like Queen's "We Will Rock You."
After the fashion show, attendees crowded the bleachers, which provided the only seating available, to watch 70's glam rock and punk progenitors the New York Dolls perform. Karaoke—the crowd's favorite part of the evening—followed the performance. Guests showed off their inner rock star on stage, singing and dancing with live accompaniment from Arlene's Grocery's Rock 'n' Roll Karaoke Band, which plays at the Lower East Side club's karaoke night.
T&L Events caterwaiters dressed in Varvatos and New York Dolls cobranded T-shirts and black Converse shoes passed around Taste's cafeteria-style goodies such as mini hamburgers, tiny grilled cheese sandwiches, baby corn dogs, and tater tots dipped in Asiago cheese. Bartenders served Bud Light from kegs and Absolut vodka from behind a custom-built aluminum bar with an LED surface.
The academic theme continued outside as guests exited the venue to the sight of Xavier's yellow school buses. Nostalgic reminiscing was in high gear—we heard one guest say, "This was way better than my prom!"
—Mara Siegler
Posted 03.29.06
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage (bar)
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On the opposite stands, red curtains were pulled away to reveal models standing in clique-like groups, wearing Varvatos's collection for Converse. Strobe lights flashed behind the different groups, spotlighting each look. "The space was unpredictable and allowed us to showcase the models up close. The bleachers served as a built-in elevated surface, each level creating a separate staging platform and acting as props along with the walls, full of gymnasium equipment," Davidson said. DJ Javier Perval took over to play varsity game favorites like Queen's "We Will Rock You."
After the fashion show, attendees crowded the bleachers, which provided the only seating available, to watch 70's glam rock and punk progenitors the New York Dolls perform. Karaoke—the crowd's favorite part of the evening—followed the performance. Guests showed off their inner rock star on stage, singing and dancing with live accompaniment from Arlene's Grocery's Rock 'n' Roll Karaoke Band, which plays at the Lower East Side club's karaoke night.
T&L Events caterwaiters dressed in Varvatos and New York Dolls cobranded T-shirts and black Converse shoes passed around Taste's cafeteria-style goodies such as mini hamburgers, tiny grilled cheese sandwiches, baby corn dogs, and tater tots dipped in Asiago cheese. Bartenders served Bud Light from kegs and Absolut vodka from behind a custom-built aluminum bar with an LED surface.
The academic theme continued outside as guests exited the venue to the sight of Xavier's yellow school buses. Nostalgic reminiscing was in high gear—we heard one guest say, "This was way better than my prom!"
—Mara Siegler
Posted 03.29.06
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage (bar)
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Bernhard-Link projected the Converse star logo onto the floor of the Xavier High School gymnasium for the John Varvatos for Converse fashion show.
Models struck disaffected poses on the gym's bleachers.
The two screens, located on both sides of the stage, ran images of guests, the fashion show, the New York Dolls performance, and the karaoke performance.
T&L Events caterwaiters dressed in Varvatos and New York Dolls cobranded T-shirts and served drinks from an underlit bar.
