Going to Hyères wasn't just about encountering new designers in the competition because I was lucky enough to share a chateau with a few extremely talented really REALLY young American designers that had come all the way from New York and San Francisco to see what the hell this Hyères thing is all about.  So seeing as I've gotten drunk with them, clubbed with them and laughed hard over Disney credit cards (don't ask...), it seemed apt to get down to the nitty gritty and check out their work. 

First up, Douglas Reker whose work I actually saw back in Miami during the Arts of Fashion Debut Series, showcasing new American designers.  His website is up now and his debut collection, the 'Picnic Collection' is showcased better by his lookbook than the flurry of a catwalk show.  Taking the woven surface of a picnic basket and the seamless qualities of a picnic blanket, Reker has conjured up sillhouettes that rely on folding and overlapping and incorporate a subtle picnic imagery of flora and fauna.  I plan many picnic outings but now I'll definitely have Douglas' collection in mind...

He has told me he's slowly working on his new collection 'Ting Things' and perhaps some selling points will be in order soon... (you'll have to contact Douglas directly and see what he can do for your picnic needs...he's as nice as they come!)

Still, it's a bit of a delight starting off with the very first roots of a designer and seeing the progress...