SHOW: P.E Nation – Resort 2017
LOCATION: The Box, Carriageworks
DATE: May. 19
START TIME: 11AM
TOP INSTA LOOK: Hustling for the perfect shot in between strobe lights on first glimpse of the models’ from the dark surrounds of the room, following which the crowd hustled their way around the podium with the same skill as a first-time cyclist in Tour de France. Founded by former Sass & Bide designer Claire Tregoning and design director of General Pants Pip Edwards, the collection expertly fused street style cred with fashion flair (never mind the functionality).
BEHIND THE SCENES: MAC Cosmetics artists crafting statement bold orange and black geometric shapes on eyelids, while Sydney hair wizard Brad Ngata used sweaty post-gym hair as the inspiration for his gym-friendly styling, creating a mix of bandana-wrapped ponytails and tousled beach waves with choppy bangs.
OFF PROBATION: A sporty black and white bandeau halter bikini with utilitarian primary blue straps, worn with racing car flag checked bottoms, styled with a black, orange and white hoody jacket and oversized reflective aviators.
GOOD BEHAVIOUR BOND: A 90s-style backless halter logo top – in case your absent-minded friends fail to notice the impossible-to-find branded swag you’re decked out in – paired with athletic white gym shorts and white mid-calf tennis socks. Think the sort of gear Kendall Jenner might wear to compliment trending hashtag, #workworkworkout.
INSPIRED BY: The 90s and the unmet demand for funked-up sport wear that transitions seamlessly from the gym to the track to happy hour without breaking a sweat. From comfy jerseys, low-slung functional basketball shorts, crop tops, leggings, bombers and oversized jackets, the designer’s delivered a collection sure to be in favor with all the cool kids, even those infected with a treadmill allergy. Go from Gym Class Zero to Hero via a simple trip to General Pants.
POP CULTURE-NOD: Karrueche Tran on the arm of Dancing With the Stars’ Nyle DiMarco at the 7th Annual amfAR Inspiration Gala at Moynihan Station just months after her agonizing split from Chris Brown after discovering he had fathered a secret lovechild (followed by a jacket change ahead of a KIIS FM 102.7 pit stop to leak news of her new relationship on the airwaves the next day.) Either that or the new uniform unveiling if the Kardashians took over the Monaco Grand Prix.
WEAR IT TO: Shoot hoops with your guy and gal model friends at McCarren Park in North Williamsburg, where, after sinking a few Instagram-worthy three-pointers, you and your posse wipe the collective sweat of 11 beads off your unwrinkled brows, before skipping the line at the Wythe Hotel before popping upstairs to the rooftop bar, where your privileged eyes witness the ultimate Manhattan sunset over spiced cucumber martinis.
BEATS: Basketballs dribbling and 90s tracks, peppered with infamous hip-hop tunes from stars like Nicki Minaj, spun by DJ Sam Francisco and Sylvester Martinez from Yolanda Be Cool.
OVERHEARD COURTSIDE: “Why are the volunteers dressed in Fi-Fo reflective onesies? They look like they’re about to unload a Qantas 747 on the runway.” – one guest on the venue staff’s neon yellow hi-vis uniforms.
COLOR WHEEL: Hi-Vis traffic light orange, racing car black and white grids, navy blue, red, white and graffiti print.
THE DOCKET: While Yeezy fans paid north of $150 a ticket for the chance to witness the drop of Kanye’s Season 3 show at Madison Square Park during NYFW in Feb. (or rather, fans of his music accidently purchased tickets to a fashion show), attendees of P.E Nation’s presentation were delivered a derivative of the self-professed madman’s spectacle for free. The dark, cramped space was ruptured by the sound of basketballers screeching about a court dribble a ball, followed by the activation of flashing bright strobe lights, teasing attendees with a glimpse of the models positioned on the podium installation. Adopting the presentation format for their debut fashion week show, Edwards and Tregoning showcased their mix of active wear separates that will have you reactivating your ClassPass membership in lieu of physical education.
