It’s always interesting to see what threeASFOUR chooses to send down its runway–the label isn’t known for easy-to-wear pieces (although I do own a great threeASFOUR jacket I bought several seasons ago, at Colette). Instead, this design collective (comprised of Gabi Asfour, Angela Donhauser and Adi Gil) is recognized for its passion and creativity. These three don’t really seem to care about mainstream fashion–they’re committed to another reality.

The show opened with several tunic-draped performers filing in, sitting on the floor and using glass bowls to create music that sounded spa-like, tribal and New Age, all at the same time. It also let us know that this show would be different from anything else we’d seen during New York Fashion Week!

ThreeASFOUR’s theme this season was “the circle” (as Gabi told me after the show, he was inspired by crop circles)–even the boots were covered in circular cutouts. It was an interesting concept, if perhaps a bit monotonous.

Some of the short, slim dresses might be wearable (with different shoes or accessories), and many of the coats were extraordinary–but this label really forces you to think outside the box. If you can accept them on their own terms, you’ll see that some of these clothes would look amazing on…you!

Gabi Asfour (one of threeASFOUR’s designers) with Susan backstage

Many of these pieces would work better in Europe than in the States, since Americans prefer mainstream fashion. But all in all, it was a great show. It’s a pleasure to see creative people hard at work, doing their own thing!

The painter, Chuck Close, on the Bowery after leaving the threeASFOUR show

Photographs by Stéphane Israël