Libertine Spring/Summer 2014 Collection at New York Fashion Week, 9 September 2013, NYC

Johnson Hartig’s Libertine line showcased at The Studio on Monday during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City.

The collection included a take on some punk inspiration including the iconic Sex Pistols’ ‘God Save the Queen’ image. This time though it said ‘God Save the Libertine’. The motif was screenprinted on skirts, dresses, trousers, and emblazoned on a sequin sweater…brilliant!

Other recurring themes included skulls, as well as embellished texts and designs, and the word LOVE with the words NON and OUI next to it with the latter circled. Some of these quirky designs reminded me of Yves Tanguy paintings, with their unusual, colorful shapes.

But this isn’t a childish collection. The patterns may be playful, but the structure is sleek and stylish. I love that he uses kitsch designs on sophisticated pieces, it’s so unexpected yet graphically intriguing. Perhaps Hartig’s statement is about mass production and that’s why the theme of the ‘God Save…’ is so prevalent in this collection. I don’t know. I just know I love his use of pattern and color…lots of color.

So I guess if I were to hashtag Libertine’s collection it would be #thisguysstuffissofun. Like my dad once told me – ‘just enjoy your life’. Guess Hartig and dad are on the same page.

Here’s Libertine’s Spring/Summer 2014 RTW collection.