For fall, Carmen Marc Valvo has a lot of school spirit. The affable designer, a Texas favorite, is offering up a collection based on "memories of cheering stadium bleachers, mean-spirited teachers and Sunday school preachers," according to his program notes at New York Fashion Week.
His massive collection — he showed a whopping 51 looks — has a naughty schoolgirl and schoolboy vibe as models in tousled hair and thick glasses walked the runway in persimmon and black-and-white tartan blazers, embroidered white shirts, and skinny ties to the Jamie Cullum song "Take Me Out (Of Myself)."
For women, looks range from a plaid skirt and blouse with a boyfriend cardigan in leather and cashmere to crop trouser and black cardigan with a sequin tweed stadium coat and matching handbag. For evening, the tartan theme continues in a more adult version, with frothy silk chiffon plaid pleated gowns, as well as gowns in bold red or black-and-red windowpane patterns.
Many of the looks are accented with luxurious mink coats — some in kicky plaid patterns and matching scarves — from Valvo's fur collection.
Valvo only started showing menswear recently with a small spring collection. For fall, he has expanded the offerings, with plaid jackets, mink cardigans, cashmere paperboy pants with suspenders and ombre shirts.
A stellar celebrity front row crowd included Katie Couric, who snapped photos with her cellphone, and hubby John Molner; Vanessa Williams; Tim Gunn; and Alec and Hilaria Baldwin with their toddler Carmen.
Carmen Marc Valvo charcoal laminated metallic tweed coat, pewter metallic tweed vest and white shirt.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri