L.A. in N.Y.: Rami Kashou
Los Angeles designer Rami Kashou bowed in New York as one of the designers in Gen Art’s fashion show held Sept. 21 in Bryant Park. This was Kashou’s second time as a Gen Art designer, having participated in Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion show last November in Los Angeles.
For Spring 2003, Kashou turned to jersey to create draped, pleated and gathered dresses and separates that carried through some familiar Kashou details. For example, the dresses with a braided cord that crossed the bodice, over the shoulder, down the back and secured at the waist were carried over from last season. Also the D-ring tie-neck tank shown in his Spring 2002 collection carried through to the current season as well. New silhouettes included shiwals (voluminous, draped pants in long and short versions), knickers and a cowl-neck apron worn over gauchos.
Kashou is at his best when he employs the fluid nature of the fabric to create dramatic effects. This season, the emphasis was on the back with blouses and dresses that were deceptively simple from the front but with an elaborate draping from the shoulders to the lower back or a lattice work of strapping across the shoulder blades.—Alison A. Nieder
