Bogosse Fashion Show Nikki Midtown January 22nd, 2007 Written by Bob Bland Photos Courtesy of Jade Dressler Communications Opposite Photo of the Bogosse Brothers by Linus Gelber

Miami-based designers Patrick and Fabrice Tardieu could not have picked a better venue to show their Autumn 2007 collection. Held at the appropriately euro-tropical Nikki Midtown, the Bogosse boys used the clubby space in a novel way, creating a runway (complete with video displays) cutting through the center of the main lounge area. The décor also included bamboo umbrellas with creamy canvas canopies that looked surreal while awash in blue light.

Bogosse, a line of luxury men’s tailored shirts, is known for attracting high-rollers and celebrities to their bespoke fit and fashion-forward detailing. The style-concious crowd attending the show was a mix of devoted clients, rich friends and fashion press, but everyone was dressed as if Miami Vice was the theme. Men wore slicked back hair with a swanky suit, and for women, fur was the dress code, whether it be a wrap, a hat, or a detachable collar.

The show itself started about an hour into the party, but couldn’t commence without a greeting from The Business Council for Peace, a nonprofit organization that the Bogosse brothers have paired with to support women’s business initiatives in developing countries. After a comprehensive explanation of BPeace, the presentation began.

Shown on a mix of shapely women and hunky men, the Bogosse Autumn collection was all about new colors, prints and shapes. Always about details, the shirts featured contrasting fabric inside the cuffs, signature buttons and contrast piping on the darker shirts. For prints, models made a statement in monocromatic fleurs and sheer tropical prints. New innovations in shaping for Bogosse included princess seams on men’s shirts and more Western styling. Another highlight that had the audience applauding were scarves made to match precisely with each shirt, as well as exotic jewelry adorning the ladies. By refusing to diversify away from woven shirts, Patrick and Fabrice have shown that more can be done with a buttondown than most men’s designers can imagine.

For more information on Bogosse and to see the new collection, go to www.bogosse.com. To read more about BPeace, see www.bpeace.org.