Tucked into a private suite during the flurry of tradeshow season February 13-15, amidst the hype at MAGIC, denim connoisseurs at Project, artistic fashionistas at Pool, and streetwear collaborations at United, was FoSho FoShow—a small trade show held at the Alexis Park Resort (right next to United) that showcased private collections from a handful of top U.S. and Japanese streetwear labels. FoSho FoShow kept it tight by relying on a ballroom like space for a handful of selected brands, including Lemar & Dauley, Rocksmith Tokyo, Phenomenon, 10 Deep (who also had a small booth in the South Hall at MAGIC), Complete Technique, Hiqee, Kilo Goods, and DC Shoes with the launch of The Life Collection 2007.
Intended as a place for brands by brands, the FoSho FoShow concept was unique in that it’s not supposed to be huge, but a select combination of brands that all fit within a specific streetwear genre and represent different points of view like a star—with the lounge at it’s center. Sporting a Japanese and American streetwear vibe, nostalgic early ‘90’s, boomboxes, a putting green, a card table with Chinese checkers, skate deck show, and a photo booth, it was an intimate atmosphere that was made for hanging out and getting a sense of how the next step in fashion trends most likely is going to be a recontextualized version of the ‘90’s. Also offered up during the show were featured DJ sets and a bar by Cabana Cachaca—the 1st double-distilled cachaca offered in the U.S.
Carefully curated, the brands chosen for FoSho FoShow last month each had interesting traits. Highlights included: Lemar & Dauley from NYC who are on a mission to be the MOMA of street and sports apparel, but come from an angle of early ‘90’s reconceptualized. Rocksmith Tokyo is nostalgic early ‘90’s but the house party version, including iconic symbols of the DJ booth to the dance floor, hip-hop, and pop art. Rocksmith currently rocks in more than 60 specialty retailers in Japan, with reach in the U.S. and parts of Europe. Phenomenon, founded in ’99 by Japanese rappers Big-O and Iggy, combines hip-hop aesthetics with Japanese attention to detail—think upscale, red carpet Japanese hip-hop style. 10 Deep from NYC, as we mentioned before in the MAGIC South Hall story, is one of the original underground clothing labels in streetwear with bold graphics and designs that brings old-school and new-school together. Complete Technique, which brings classic old-school techniques to the forefront inspired by music, is probably most known for working with brands such as Kid Robot, Thunderdog Studios, plus custom designs for artists such as Mos Def, Hi Tek, WK Interact, and Nina Sky. This was their chance, however to show their own designs and craftsmanship. DC Shoes, which of course showcases at ASR, among other shows, chose FoSho FoShow to introduce their The Life Collection 2007. The Life Collection is the first full line by DC that includes fashion, art, and music inspired footwear pieces altogether.
For more information go to www.foshofoshow.com.
