‘Project Runway’s’ Jerell Scott opts for ‘more is more’ for Spring 2010
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Jerell Scott is a believer in piling it on. In his mind, crystal-laced ribbons, tribal prints, craftsy yarn details, appliques and cuffs decorated with iridescent plastic studs all belong on the same outfit.
And while the “Project Runway” alum’s Spring 2010 collection -- shown Wednesday on the runway for Downtown L.A. Fashion Week at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA -- had a few fun moments, the designer’s “more is more” aesthetic largely came off as overkill.
The dress-heavy collection had so much going on it was difficult to distill the basic elements. Why put a leather shoulder piece on top of a dress already so busy it needs its own day planner?
The L.A.-based designer, who was one of my favorites on the fifth season of ‘Project Runway,’ said he’s ‘really inspired by the different cultures of the world,’ which showed in the collection’s tribal-inspired maxi-dresses, with roomy and back-revealing cuts (they would have been show-stopping, had he not festooned them so deeply with crystal-encrusted ribbon and the like).
Ultimately, the juxtaposition of earthy/tribal elements and ‘Dynasty’-style sequins and glitter felt incongruous. The few bright moments in the show materialized when Scott eschewed the weird mix and went for all-out ‘80s glam; for instance, a lace and silver-sequined cut-out minidress you could easily envision on a Peaches Geldof or a Lily Allen.
And Scott is definitely aiming for the stars with his new line. ‘I’ve always been very much an evening designer, but now I’m really gunning for young Hollywood,’ he said backstage after the show. ‘The collection is glitzy L.A. -- I’m going for celebs by any means necessary.’
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Photos: L.A. Fashion Week -- Phong Hong, Fernanda Carniero, Krys-N-Jack
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