Most of you have heard of pop up shops, those fun temporary stores that spring up, sell some wares for a day or even a few weeks then seemingly vanish into thin air. Most have you have heard of Express, the popular mall brand that stocks basics as well as current trends.
Express took the pop up concept one step further and did a pop up fashion show in the French Quarter last Friday and I was one of the lucky people to get the memo. If you didn’t get to go you are in luck! The Express fall ad campaign was shot during the runway show so footage will be displayed all across the country.
The streets of the Quarter are narrow, with not much wiggle room for a car and a bike to pass through. In the case of Rock the Sidewalk this made for the perfect space for a catwalk and enough room for spectators to get up close and observe every detail of every look.
Even on this steamy New Orleans day with high heat and humidity I was craving the fall looks for next season. The two overall themes were layering neutrals and color blocking. Different entities, I know but it makes sense to balance out a wardrobe of bright colors with more somber shades to suit every mood.
On the opposite spectrum there were light, bright frocks paired with equally bold accessories such as a fuchsia dress cinched at the waist with an equally vivid belt. All too often fall and winter dressing turns into boring, fight the elements survivalism mode. Color blocking is a big trend for summer and carrying this look over to fall will help inject a bit more fun into even the dreariest of winter days.
BIG thanks to my friend Joseph Miner for letting me use these shots he took from his Blackberry. I brought my camera to the event but since I’m a diminutive 5’1 all I snapped where backs of heads. Joey is a whole foot taller than me. Don’t believe me? I’ve got the evidence to prove it.