Etes-Vous Pret? Carlos Campos Spring 2008 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Splashlight Studios 535 West 35TH Street Written by Janet Perisa Photographed by Belkis Carrasco

If tailored suits and rugged jeans are men’s wardrobe staples, then Carlos Campos is the tie that binds them together. It’s no wonder that Campos was chosen to design costumes for Broadway hits like Jersey Boys; his chic designs deliver cachet with a hip, urban attitude. For Spring 2008, Campos downplayed his previous season’s “Bad Boy” image by designing a collection featuring pastel neckerchiefs and cruise shorts. But he still maintained the machismo appeal that garnered attention from music icons Justin Timberlake and The Killers.

The show began with a short silent film that followed Campos through his morning rituals, showing him charging down the city streets and entering his studio to cut and sow. Once the film screen rose, the saga continued down the runway with white low-rise jeans, orbital print pullovers, woven silk and cotton sweaters and supple leather jackets. The color pallet for his sportswear consisted mainly of cadet blue, limestone gray, orchid, and canary yellow. Next came the meticulously tailored suits: an aubergine pinstriped suit was paired with a heather gray pique collared shirt and a midnight colored tuxedo was infused with multicolored foiling and smooth, silk piping. Campos accented the suits with narrow ties in dark shades, which kept the attention on the quality and craftsmanship of his designs.

The show’s highlight was supermodel Omahyra Mota walking the runway in a black pants suit. This surprise appearance sent the audience in a frenzy of applause that lasted long after the leggy model exited backstage. The show ended happily as guests enjoyed complimentary cocktails and new wave grooves provided by Justin Strauss. Not bad for a season’s work. For more information, log on to: www.carloscampos.com.

Model Omahyra Mota

Carlos Campos