[REVIEW] Rebel by Aisha Naomi

This season I had the opportunity to present a runway trends show for F/W ’12. It was a very enlightening and eye opening experience. Being backstage and working on your own runway is so different from working on a client’s show. This feeling of pride of presenting trends for the upcoming season felt like a huge task. Not that I haven’t done it for editorials or columns, but this time it just felt so different and nerve racking. I could sense the pressure of presenting my style and vision on menswear for the season.

I have to thank my business partner Naomy Quiñones and model and business owner Frederick Valentin and Melvin Roman [they are all very dear friends and hold a special place in my heart] for encouraging me to become a part of the Men’s Fashion Show (MFS). This is the first edition of this event and hope for it to become a staple on the island.

Prepping for the show seems like a simple but complicated task; searching for inspiration, trend reporting, constant phone calls, meetings and emails. Then the hefty task of naming the collection, searching for the perfect music, creating the perfect visuals and dramatic presentation, and creating a concept to stand out from the rest; I was lucky enough to count on my team to help me through this process.

Now the interesting part begins. Meetings with designers and store managers, the process of creating the show; I envisioned rock and roll, whiskey and the fast life. James Dean, Jim Morrison and The Doors were a huge influence for my trends show. Leather jackets, jeans, brooches and color were part of the rebellious looks I decided to create. My designers David Antonio, Jose Raul and Ruby Davila were such a huge part of my inspiration and I'm so grateful they were a part of this project. Also retail brands Steve Madden, Zara and Root were amazing.

We (Naomy and I) had the opportunity to collaborate with new team member Jacob Fuentes and Frederick for the visuals of the show. We integrated the beautiful Bodine Koehler Peña (Miss Universe 2012) as the seductress in our video. This is our first ever attempt to pursue this sort of project and most definitely won’t be the last.

After weeks of hard work and presentations the big day arrived. I was a bit anxious for my show, setting the looks and last minute change ups to make sure the vision was up to par with my presentation. Longtime friend and collaborator, Lucero and Jose Texeira who was one of my angels and both helped me backstage and made sure my vision was not compromised and for the model coordination.

Now the moment has arrived, light are out and our video is playing, music blaring (The Doors has set the scenario) and my boys are pumped. My models were incredible; they were exactly what I envisioned for my show, bad asses with attitude.  Each of them depicted the vibe of my show:

Rebel

PHOTOS: KARINA MARGARY

My opening model is Frederick (CROMO) with Wool cap, camo print sports jacket, screen t-shirt with leather pant from ZARA. Scarf, David Antonio, safety pin brooch with stone detail by Ruby Davila for MEN. 'Rayge' boot by Steve Madden.

Alvaro (CROMO) followed with leather jacket, skull print button down shirt with dark wash denim from ZARA. Tiger's eye bracelet by Ruby Davila for MEN, bandanna detail on arm and 'Troopah' boot by Steve Madden.

Ramon wore a military inspired biker jacket and grey wash denim by ZARA. Black button down shirt with red detail by Root. Bullet and insignia inspired brooches by Ruby Davila for MEN. Sunglasses by Michael Kors and 'Rayge' boot by Steve Madden.

Xabriel wore an amazing leather convertible vest with khaki pant by Root. Paisley print jean shirt by ZARA, metal detail bracelet by Ruby Davila for MEN, 'Viktor' boot Steve Madden.

Now for my closing look on my retail pulls, Alfredo wore White button down shirt with plaid black and white detail on cuff & neck and blue pant by Root. Plaid wool necktie by ZARA, cross neck tie pin by Ruby Davila for MEN, 'Vantage' boot by Steve Madden. 

My opening look for my glam selection was model and friend Webster and he looked AMAZING! He wore a paisley print suit, pink stripe button down shirt with leather neck detail, mink detail scarf. Turquoise brooch by Ruby Davila for MEN, 'Troopah' boot by Steve Madden, leather gloves with red pipping.

Following, Ignacio wore a paisley print brown pant and long sleeve shirt with white detail all by José Raúl. Necklace with blue embellishment by Ruby Davila for MEN. 'Cooper' suede boot by Steve Madden.

Heri, wore a more laid back attempt for swim suit; a white studded racer jacket and black boy short   with white pipping swim trunks all by José Raúl. Brooch by Ruby Davila for MEN, 'Troopah' boot by Steve Madden.

Edward wore a black trim embroidered suit, black tuxedo shirt all by José Raúl. Bandanna pocket handkerchief, 'Viktor' boot by Steve Madden.

Adam (CROMO )was my last model for this presentation wearing a white trim embroidered jacket, black vest, white pant, black leather and wool scarf all by José Raúl. Brooch on scarf by Ruby Davila for MEN. 'Juggler' shoe by Steve Madden.

My opening for my rebellious and sexy inspired collection was Troy wearing  a blue embellished sports jacket, white low neck sleeveless shirt, with blue tie dye pant, multi colored knot scarf all by David Antonio. Bracelet by Ruby Davila for MEN, 'Rayge' boot by Steve Madden.

Alexis (CROMO)rocked a brown plaid suit with orange and red detail, red floral print button down shirt and scarf all by David Antonio, brooch by Ruby Davila for MEN. 'Vantage' boot by Steve Madden.

The stunning Che, wore a white corduroy sports jacket, red jeans and paisley print scarf all by David Antonio. Leather necklace with detail by Ruby Davila for MEN. 'Cooper' suede boot by Steve Madden.

Francisco (CROMO) wore an Orange plaid suit with red detail, orange and sage green paisley print button down shirt all by David Antonio. Blue cord necklace by Ruby Davila for MEN, 'Vantage' boot by Steve Madden.

Finally my last look of the night was our close friend Gustavo (CROMO) wearing a dramatic and sexy red suit with orange and red button down shirt, with red dot and paisley print scarf all by David Antonio. Red and orange brooch by Ruby Davila for MEN. 'Troopah' boot by Steve Madden.

As my closing, I decided to recreate the promotional video with we did with Fred & Bodine, but this time with Kasandra Fuentes (CROMO), and they both looked stunning onstage. It was a shock to the public, calling it one of the highlights of the night. I'm extremely proud of my boys and the work they did, looking extremely fierce on the runway and totally hot. 

I would like to thank Karina Margary for the stunning runway pictures!