Bishme Cromartie coining the phrase street guard, an intersection of streetwear and avant guard, an intersection darkness and femininity, and clothing that can be both masculine and feminine at the same time. “The collection showcases the Bishme Cromartie woman – a woman who is ready for change, constantly on the go, and loves to stand out no matter where she is and what she’s doing. ” As he navigates his own season of grief, this collection was intended to inspire his Bishme woman to explore the ways in which style can be a source of relief from their own grief.
The collection is indeed dark, as was the video presentation in which the collection was showcased, and the feelings evoked are powerful. However, there is nothing mourning or lacking in the collection. These are not “humble” designs, and in fact sex appeal and skin take the forefront on many of them. A sense of strength of masculinity and strength is definitely evident as well in the shape and tailoring.
While the collection is very atypical for what we think of Spring Summer, many of the pieces are very season-less. In fact, biased or not, the collection speaks very New York uniform to me. It is sleek, it is urban and the elements of the avant guard art are not lost.
