Stylist's Perspective: 151 Pieces

Frank151: What are some trends for Spring / Summer 2010?
Renelou Padora: The most standout trend is sportswear. A lot of designers can be seen incorporating it into their collections. It’s a sexy and effortless look for both men and women that can be worn straight from the runway.
F151: What about for guys?
RP: Guys are going back to basics and a “less is more” approach. Brands are sticking to classic silhouettes and expanding their collections through the use of innovative fabrics. Levi’s is a really great example ’cause they’ve developed an alternative to the classic blue denim and expanded their color range into pastels. It’s a look that guys can do, without compromising the classic cut they’re used to.

A lot of lifestyle brands are getting courageous with their use of color, which is awesome. People are moving away from primary colors and experimenting with colors we’re not normally used to seeing.


F151: How do you think social networking has changed fashion?
RP: It’s changed fashion dramatically. Now fashion is accessible from all corners of the globe. Before the Internet, you’d have to wait for your magazines every month, but now you can just log on to any one of the fashion blogs and see what people are wearing, instantly. The trends are actually happening more quickly these days.
F151: Has social networking impacted your job as a stylist?
RP: Yes, most definitely. I have access to designers, trendsetters and the like at my fingertips. For my job, I’ve become a member of various social networks that have helped me expand my own personal fashion knowledge. It’s become limitless.

F151: What were some of your favorite pieces that you put into the 151 Pieces Fashion Show?
RP: I love Rogue Territory. Karl Thoennessen designs amazing denim. It really captures raw denim at its essence—a well-fit jean. After Midnight NY is great, too. Akira Matsuura incorporates workwear fundamentals into streetwear aesthetics without compromising classic fits and silhouettes.


F151: Most of the brands featured in the 151 Pieces Fashion Show have never been on a runway before. Why is it important for brands to be showcased in that environment?
RP: It’s really important to get the awareness out there so people know these lifestyle brands can also be worn with other styles of clothing. We had a James Perse piece with a jean from a brand on Fairfax Ave. Normally people who shop on Fairfax don’t go to Bloomingdale’s to buy James Perse. It was good to bridge the gap.

F151: How do you feel about doing a fashion show that lives online?
RP: It’s a unique concept that allows fans of these brands to have a front-row seat. They have the opportunity to get familiar with the looks and explore what’s on offer. There are a lot of people who wear these labels, but they’ve never been to a show before, or they never would have thought they’d see Pegleg or Diamond Supply Co. on a runway. It’s going to give them a newfound respect for the label, as well as open avenues for the brands to more buyers.

F151: Can you describe the process of selecting the brands and pieces for the 151 Pieces Fashion Show?
RP: It was a lot of Frank151’s network. That made it easy, because Frank has a huge network. We contacted all those brands. As soon as I started seeing what was coming in, I just filled in the gaps. Most people would put a t-shirt and jean together, and as a stylist, I added the fashion element. So I utilized the special pieces from each brand and showed off their best features. I pulled what I liked and what made sense for the Frank151 demographic.

F151: How would you describe the overall look and feel of the 151 Pieces Fashion Show?
RP: It’s a familiar fashion show from a new point of view. A hybrid of collective lifestyle brands. A Hundreds customer might not normally wear After Midnight, but in this show, it’s possible. Someone who buys Prohibit might not normally wear Native shoes, but in this show, he did. It was about the combining and reworking of the fundamental ideals of these brands, and expanding their range into commercial, wearable fashion styles.

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