Lorod Pre-Fall 2018...Fashionweekly...On Fow24news.com

The landscape of American fashion has seen some pretty seismic shifts in the past few seasons, with a slew of young designers decamping to Europe. In a sense that makes Lorod’s Lauren Rodriguez and Michael Freels pioneers in their own land.....
The New York–based design duo launched their pre-collections-only label last year, and yesterday evening they held their second official runway presentation in an airy space overlooking the Hudson River. With glasses of wine and delicious seasonal nibbles being served, the ambience was far more convivial than anything you’d find during Fashion Week, where editors and buyers are often faced with jam-packed schedules. “We like the idea that people can come and just hang out,” said Rodriguez. “There’s no need to rush.”

That laid-back yet carefully considered attitude was also evident in the clothes. Freels and Rodriguez are carving out a new identity for American workwear with Lorod, and this season they proved it can be both elegant and cool. Models walked out rocking slick greaser-inspired coifs and were dressed in hip-grazing utilitarian jackets and bias-cut skirts spliced with everything from sturdy cotton canvas to suede to velvet. The pair drew on images of the American Southwest for their backdrop, and those idyllic scenes gave the collection its pleasing sunset palette. Finished with literal pastoral motifs, the knit pieces were particularly impressive, a nod to traditional quilting techniques that felt fresh. One curvilinear sweaterdress patterned with what looked like crop formations was a standout, skimming the body in a flattering way. And after updating workman’s overalls for Resort, the duo redrew the lines on the classic cowboy shirt with abstract art swagger for Pre-Fall.

If you were expecting cowboy boots, a footwear trend that’s been making the rounds on both sides of the Atlantic, then you would be mistaken. Instead Freels and Rodriguez sought the help of Manolo Blahnik to ground their collection with custom-made slingback kitten heels and dainty booties, a counterintuitive styling trick that paid off. It will be interesting to see where this fledging made-in-America brand goes next.