TOMBOGO SPRING/SUMMER 2023 RUNWAY PRESENTATION NEW YORK FASHION WEEK “For The Truant & The Fluent”
September 12, 2022 New York, NY TOMBOGO – the cult-favorite label known for functional, sustainable, and utility-driven pieces and experimental design techniques – returned to New York Fashion Week for their fourth season with a runway presentation on September 11th, 2022 at LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan.
For Spring/Summer 2023, TOMBOGO showcased a 17 look ready-to-wear collection titled “For the Truant & the Fluent” inspired by designer Tommy Bogo’s formative years in high school where his love for design and fashion began.
The show served as a time machine back into the halls in celebration of academia, the arts, the groups and communities, and the student body and classes that followed their passions. “For the Truant & the Fluent” reflects on the various characters and personalities in high school – from the jock to the artsy student – and features looks that highlight each persona.
Bogo is constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion – taking familiar silhouettes and re-imagining them into mutli-functional garments created with upcycled materials and fabrics.
Bogo credits his high school’s music and art programs for opening a window to express himself creatively, helping him develop new and imaginative ways of thinking – a mindset that’s been the driving force when designing for TOMBOGO. The show also serves as a message about the importance of supporting school art programs. The show’s set design was made to feel like a high school, with desks arranged in the middle of the runway, giving guests — including SMINO, Duckwrth, Isaiah Rashad, Paloma Ford, and Tiana Parkr — an intimate look at “a day in the life” of high school students.
Looks this season were modeled by friends and family of the brand including California creatives and artists like Guapdad 4000, Teezo Touchdown, Joyce Wrice, Junebug, and Channel Tres. TOMBOGO worked closely with the LaGuardia High School’s team to bring the show’s venue to life.
Key pieces from the collection include a multi-pocket dress shirt paired with gradient print slacks that feature convertible components on the knees, a patterned knit button up top resembling loose leaf paper, a multi-pocket slack pant with small pocket arranged down the front of the legs, a crochet knit shirt and short set inspired by basketball uniforms with patchwork logos and handknit detailing on the garments’ edges, a ripstop nylon mini skirt with a matching bungee cord top complete with bungee cord detailing inspired by the cord pockets on the front and sides of backpacks, a lightweight, utilitarian style runners vest made with upcycled fabrics supplied by Members Only, and two-toned varsity jackets with branded patchwork detailing.
Key colors this season continue to draw inspiration from nature and feature neutral earth tones like black, beige, sand, and shades of browns and greens.
TOMBOGO also expanded their accessories offering this season with new styles across sunglasses, handbags, and headwear categories. For handbags, the brand presented a vegan leather tote bag shaped like a windmill with movable blades as well as a small shoulder bag with buckle detailing made with upcycled military surplus materials.
New headwear this season includes a strapback hat in wool with the brand’s signature side pocket detailing and complete with TOMBOGO’s new logo on the front. For sunglasses, TOMBOGO debuted a sleek, black, rectangular-shaped eyewear style with yellow lenses and a small compass on the frame’s side made in collaboration with Bonnie Clyde – hinting at a larger project between the two brands that is set to release later this year. Other smaller accessories this season include ties and belts made from upcycled fabric complete with TOMBOGO’s new logo.
Footwear this season was sponsored by Salomon. TOMBOGO also partnered again with Segway to debut a range of new electric scooters, which cruised down the runway during the show. This collaboration holds true to both Tombogo and Segway’s commitments to sustainable practices and innovative design.
About TOMBOGO
Tommy Bogo is a designer from Oakland, CA, currently residing in Los Angeles. TOMBOGO is Tommy Bogo’s way of learning and growing through experiences during the process of design, and then sharing his findings with the world in a tangible form of clothing and products. TOMBOGO has shown at New York Fashion Week as part of the CFDA’s official fashion week program for two seasons now, and the brand has amassed a following among celebrities including J Balvin, Kid Cudi, Kehlani, and Lizzo.
TOMBOGO’s products have expanded into intricate and technical apparel with a range of t-shirts, hoodies, trousers, hats, sunglasses, and bags. The brand’s signature focus is functional and sustainable utility-inspired pieces made using intricate and experimental design techniques. As a direct to consumer brand all pieces are available on a newly designed e-commerce website at www.tombogo.com.
All images courtesy of TOMBOGO / Photographer Milo Selchaif
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