Hanley Mellon’s Fall 2015 presentation of his Antwerp collection was the first fashion show I have had the privilege to attend during New York Fashion Week. I can not express my excitement for this opportunity and just being back in my favorite city once more at no better time of the year than for Fashion Week. New York has an interesting way of captivating everyone and drawing them into it’s extraordinary existence. What I walked into upon the shows start was more then I could have imagined and Hanley Mellon had my adrenaline running wild.
The show was held in midtown Manhattan in the Garment District on the corner of West 36th street and 10th Ave. at the Hudson Mercantile. Upon my arrival my first impression of the place was that i knew it had something to do with a photography studio given the presence of a psych wall, an endless backdrop commonly used in higher end photo studios. As a professional photographer, the combination of being in a photo studio and being surrounded by other photographers and fashion obsessed individuals made me feel right at home! The large elevator approached the show room floor and my excitement was at an all time high, I was finally here photographing my very first New York Fashion Week presentation.
The Antwerp Collection was inspired by the designer’s trip to Belgium and Antwerp’s own Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Starting with the premise, “What is happening in Antwerp?” Hanley Mellon noticed Antwerp’s fashion school was producing remarkable talent. As stated in her show decsription, The Antwerp Collection is a perfect follow up to their Spring 2015 Kenya Collection as it’s inspiration came from the stories of migration from Kenya to Europe and through Antwerp into New York City and the United States.
Antwerp’s fashion students are taught confidence and to stay true to their ideas season to season rather than going the conventional route and focusing on the current trending conversation in the fashion world. To migrate our ideas forward with new references based on our own journeys and experiences inspired Hanley and it allowed for the collection to shine, and shine it did!
The elevator doors opened and my first impression was the fog. Smoke machines were strategically placed around the room. Shooting through fog could be a challenge for many professional photographers but I was particular excited about its unique sense of atmosphere. Through the thin fog I saw the presentation illuminated like a lighthouse calling out to the sailor trapped in the fog at sea. Standing on what appeared to be docks in a harbor, each model stood out with their wardrobe as if they were there only to lure me in to experience the unique collection designed by Hanley Mullen.
Hanley Mellon Fall 2015 Presentation. Photographer Patrick Hovan
Each piece was fitted perfectly with the right model and the multiple textures of each outfit gave the whole look a sense of feeling and even existence. Each piece had its own unique element that complimented the outfit, whether it was a dress, suite, or blouse, it came together perfectly. The designs were all very clean and sleek with minimal accessories except for a belt that was custom designed for each outfit.
Paired with shoes provided by Manolo Blahnik, each piece showed its uniqueness and individuality while maintaining the flow of the collection as a whole. As Hanley Mellon stated “It is the confidence and courage to follow one’s own path that we see in the American spirit and Hanley Mellon women on the go.” That statement is very present in her extraordinary collection.
As my first official New York Fashion Week show, I could not have asked for a better opportunity than to photograph the Antwerp Collection. Given the format of the presentation, I approached this as if I was photographing a fashion editorial rather than a fashion show. Hanley Mellon’s Antwerp Collection was a story brought to life. Inspired by the progression of human nature and triumph, the production team did an amazing job creating a unique atmosphere with fog and soft music. The dock that each model stood upon accented the story brought by the wardrobe, and Hanley’s Unique vision shouted at me through that fog to draw me in and hypnotize me with it’s brilliance. It all started with the premise: “What is happening in Antwerp?”
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