Pringle of Scotland's Poignant Finale
The Pringle of Scotland latest runway show was very much the fashion equivalent of a dead-rubber match, i.e., a game in which the result cannot affect the final outcome. This spring 2013 collection, presented Sunday, June 17, in London, was designed by Alistair Carr, news of whose departure from the Scottish brand had broken this spring.
Howver, this was a stylish departing gesture by Carr, a one-time Balenciaga alumni, who cannot really be faulted for Pringle's recent financial troubles. The house's owner, the Fang family of Hong Kong, was forced to inject $17 million last year into the 195-year-old brand after the Scottish knitwear specialist kept bleeding losses.
For his farewell, Carr served up a fashion repast of artfully spun knits, using the house's signature Argyle pattern in massive designs on flowing sweaters and micro patterns in socks.
Blair cuts a neat bomber jacket, using the technique well in waxy leather versions trimmed in stretch wool, or in multi-paneled versions with alternating leather and wool sections.
Across a turquoise fake grass runway in The Hospital Club, a private members club funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in Covent Garden where night shows in debut London Collections: Men were staged, the models marched in this season's best footwear. Brothel-creepers met cricket boots meet loafers in these great new footwear looks.
Carr also sent out a new Pringle men's twin set though composed of a cardigan with a soft collar sports shirt. Made in honeycomb optic materials, these all looked great, as did some padded shiny denim jackets in ecru and white.
Yet after this polished performance, there was that poignant moment when Carr took his bow, waving shyly, quitting a job that most critics felt he did not deserve to lose.
