Featuring a bold, black and white logo that forms an interlocking edge, FOO AND FOO applies its playful lens to classic East Coast styles for its Fall ’23 collection. With a vaguely nautical theme, FOO AND FOO presented 30 new looks at the Paradise Club at The Times Square EDITION during New York Fashion Week.
Although the brand’s roots are in genderless basics, this collection includes clothes to stay warm by the sea: coats, cable-knit sweaters and oversized boardwalk-inspired tees. Striking blue and white boating stripes are cut into quirky shapes as designer Elizabeth Hilfiger puts a twist on the local styles of her upbringing. “I grew up in Connecticut, like it’s classic American, and I think about summers,” Hilfiger explains, “I like to challenge myself, like, ‘Oh, if I had to wear a polo shirt, how would I wear it?’
Mark Hunter/Foo And Foo
Mark Hunter/Foo And Foo
Mark Hunter/Foo And Foo
Each light-hearted image contains hidden references to the dark realities of life, adds Hilfiger, “It’s like everything is so nice with a boat, but it’s actually rusting and bad for the environment, a sinking yacht.” There are hand-nailed rivets and metal pieces that form anchors and other patterns, which were difficult to place on soft, skinny pants. Other details, such as interior tags, pay homage to childhood memories of tagging names on clothes packed for summer camp.
Worn by models of both sexes, each garment features craftsmanship that brings feminine techniques to masculine silhouettes and vice versa, for an overall playful effect. In collaboration with tattoo artist David Enth, the male models wear beachy torso prints on cropped tops, zip-up hoodies and low-brow street art pants. Juxtaposed against Sperry footwear, this collection is a way for Hilfiger to add her creative touch to situations that might feel stuffy or boring to an anxious child.
Collaborating with stylist Natalie Tauger, who recently released her challenging LOOK ONE project, FOO AND FOO’s catwalk featured intricate layering. The models wear multiple belts, which accentuate the multi-loop denim in a rusty wash. Several tops, both scratchy tees and serious button-downs, echo the layered look with double-line construction. Finishing off many looks with a mysterious black cotton hoodie, this FOO AND FOO presents a formula for dressing that’s both a bit anonymous and distinctly American.
Discover the clever details and techniques of FOO AND FOO’s FW23 collection in the gallery above.
For more New York Fashion Week coverage, check out Danny Cole’s imaginative Creature World experience.