In its first season in the tents, the always-ostentatious Rock & Republic brought in its own technology, staging, and performers for Saturday's presentation, which stood out among the other shows held in Bryant Park. Brimming over with attendees (even the aisles at the back were crammed), the presentation matched its set to the film-noir-inspired fall 2008 collection and the rock-'n'-roll aesthetic of the label. The show's invitation and program echoed this concept, with a plume of smoke and shadows from a venetian blind covering a red-and-black background.Commissioned by designer Michael Ball, Stoelt Productions produced the show, building a pit into the runway for a live orchestra and rigging the set with new lighting technology that washed the tent in an intense red light and cast shadows to evoke the visual style of the movie genre. At the entrance to the runway, LC series lights—semitransparent strips of LEDs—and Stagebar 54 LED fixtures shone brightly. On the catwalk itself, Stoelt employed High End System's showgun lights, which created a polka-dot effect; as the models appeared wearing fedoras, the bright lights created a shadow over their faces, emulating the way film noir movies typically obscure character's faces.
Like the show, the after-party was packed, filling Richie Akiva and Scott Sartiano's new spot 1 OAK (it stands for "One of a Kind") to capacity.
Like the show, the after-party was packed, filling Richie Akiva and Scott Sartiano's new spot 1 OAK (it stands for "One of a Kind") to capacity.
Photo: Keith Sirchio for BizBash
Photo: Keith Sirchio for BizBash
Photo: Keith Sirchio for BizBash
Photo: Vero Image