February 13, 2024 |
Puppets and Puppets’s creative director Carly Mark used her AW24 collection to bid the Big Apple farewell. Sending attendees to a concrete skyscraper slap bang in the middle of midtown New York, it was something of a full circle moment for the Detroit-raised artist and designer who moved to the concrete jungle when she was 18. Despite her history with the city, Mark is now choosing to relocate to London, using the garments in this season’s offering to reflect on her creative journey.
The tough attitude synonymous with the stereotypical New York woman was represented through hefty faux-fur coats and hoodies that were ripped at the shoulders. Nipple-baring organza and thigh-grazing slits introduced a sexier perspective on the city’s distinct style while more classic, black dresses added an air of elevated sophistication. This dichotomous spirit was reflected in the soundtrack – a miscellaneous mash-up of Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ and various Sinead O’Connor songs.
Discussing her intention of shifting the brand’s focus onto accessories, Mark introduced crocodile print purses in various shapes, sizes and colours, uniting looks perfectly. Multi-coloured tights that played with form and fabric emphasised the brand’s immaculate attention to detail as well as the pillars of Mark’s artistic expression. Intending to evoke a keen sense of emotion, models desperately clutched their garments, symbolising Mark’s accumulated emotional distress after trying to sustain her brand in an unforgiving climate.
Photography by Bella Macgregor.
