PAFF: POLISH AMERICAN FASHION FOUNDATION

Polish Fashion Arrives at NYFW

Words by: Lydia Hope Samson

The Polish American Fashion Foundation hosted their first-ever NYFW show at the New Museum on Bowery, featuring three designers in an engaging display of Polish design talent.  Perfectly tailored music, opened up the room with a known favorite, Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve, and later wrapped us in arms with live mini instrumental orchestra. Custom made perfumes left mesmerizing lingering scents and a heart-felt opening by Aleksandra Borowczak (PAFF founder) set the tone for a well-deserved milestone in Polish fashion history.

Viola Spiechowicz opened the show with voluminous beige jackets, bell sleeves picture stamping clips of China with white linen dresses, bathing suits, and tunics. It was an effortless dance played well with the classical music notes leading each look. Cinched waists delicately floating and slim lines gave structure to the soft palette of whites, beiges, and light blue. Whimsical and dreamy, the collection echoed a sense of freedom for women as they moved from moment to moment, country to sea and through time stamped eras, particularly that of Gidget with 1950s swimwear and sophisticated 1900s air of the Gibson girl.

Mia, comprised of mother and daughter Anna and Iwona Marganski, was sexy and architectural.  Sculptural black separates with hints of white were accented with leather detailing, cuffs, and high, striking collars.  The collection lined a futuristic setting engaging the mind to enter into a moment of what could be.

The headline of the evening was an exciting presentation by Paprocki and Brzozowski, a design duo working together since 2000.  Marcin and Mariusz have already achieved recognition in their native country, and will finally be known internationally.  The designers showed a Polish Renaissance-inspired collection of elegant silhouettes and luxurious textiles.  Their refined color scheme included rose-colored brocade, luxurious white chiffon, and sparkling black beading, interspersed with a few surprising moments of the most brilliant green silk.

The overall point of view, both individually and collectively, was clear and strong.  These designers are knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated to their craft.  New York is lucky to be welcoming these Polish designers into the dialogue of contemporary fashion.

PAPROCKI & BRZOZOWSKI INTERVIEW

INTERVIEWED BY LYDIA HOPE SAMSON & CHAUNIELLE BROWN

WHAT WERE YOU HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS COLLECTION IN PARTICULAR?

The inspiration was taken from the Renaissance and we wanted the products to be very feminine, and very elegant. 

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SHOWING IN NEW YORK? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU IN THIS MOMENT?

We are extremely excited because this is our first actual show in New York. We’ve been here many times and we have loved it. Absolutely loved it. But it is great to be here for something we are so passionate about.

DID YOU FEEL FOR THIS PARTICULAR COLLECTION WERE THE INSPIRATIONS MORE CULTURAL OR PERSONAL?

Essentially, we are artists and everything comes personally. At the same time, the Renaissance captures a particular beautiful moment in time, so it is in a sense cultural but it also is an individual effort. We can’t forget that we are here now and we really wanted the collection to be mixed into the present and be mixed into the present moment.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY (WHAT IS YOUR FAULT)?

No, we are absolutely, completely happy with what we have and we wanted to show this exactly the way it was.

INTERVIEW WITH FOUNDER, ALEXANDRA BOROWCZAK

INTERVIEWED BY LYDIA HOPE SAMSON & CHAUNIELLE BROWN

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THIS YEAR’S SHOW AND WHAT IT WILL ACCOMPLISH IN THE WORLD OF FASHION IN NY AND MEAN FOR POLAND?

I hope that someone, somebody, big store, a big company, or store will see, and want to talk to them, see the collection and want to have it in their stores. Overall, that is the goal for our designers – to bring them into the American market. The only way to show how good they are not only for the show, but to physically be here and be placed in one of the stores and they will get contracts, phone calls. Because that is the beginning of something bigger than just the fashion. But that is the fashion show point, yes of fashion (she smiles).

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD APPROACH DIFFERENTLY FOR NEXT YEAR?

Well, probably, I would choose bigger space (She laughs). I was very disappointed that a lot of people couldn’t come in and that is not something we would like to do but unfortunately the museum has a very restricted code. We just couldn’t bring more people. We are probably going to have the fashion show spread out over a few couple days. Not combined few designers in one day, but each day one designer which make more sense this way, because that’s why we had to do a small intermission for the amount of models we have to be able to accommodate everybody. But I think overall, it went flawless. Music was fantastic! Our people, our jazz people, they are upstairs now. Please come have a glass of prosecco..Also we have incredible perfume – perfume of our name – PAFF. They were spreading the perfume, our perfume PAFF through the night.