Photos Courtesy of CultureMap.com. By Michelle Watson/CatchLight Group
What a treat for me. I recently was able to catch up with David Peck and spend some chat time as he was one of the Host Designers at the recent WOW Event benefiting Dress for Success at TOOTSIES. David has become rather quickly one of Houston’s proudest new sons and was showing his latest designs, some of the best dresses I’ve seen in awhile. This talented, well-traveled and studied fashion guy has been fun to watch grow and grow rather quickly. I’ve seen him at local markets, he now has a strong presence in TOOTSIES and 310 Rosemont and is definitely one of the new designers to watch that is on the move both in Houston and on the bigger national fashion scene!
His entire concept is so right on for fashion design today. This Parsons School of Design graduate’s first collection launched in Paris in 2006 and then continued in NYC, is committed to sustainable practices. He uses fabrics that are a combination of certified organic and fair trade goods. His popular line is called CrOp, a clothing line with a conscience. The name originates from “creative opportunities” in which he collaborates, annually, with an artistic partner in the fine arts world, who also is interested in giving back. David uses that artists’ creations as his inspiration for his signature prints, using methods that minimally effect the environment. Both photo and artistically inspired, their uniqueness had great eye appeal for even someone like me who is a self-proclaimed non-print person.
Photos Courtesy of Julie Soefer for David Peck
In Spring 2011, he collaborated with local photographer, Jaimie Collier whose photographs of Uganda resulting in some very unusual, tasteful photo print inspirations. David combined his strong feel for color, popped against these eclectic prints, all designed by and exclusive to CrOp. For Fall 2011, which are in stores at this time and featured above, David reached to the Gulf Coast for inspiration through his collaboration with The Gulf Coast Restoration Network. In the photos above are an eggplant colored gown of organic wool and silk chiffon. The second, a ¾ sleeve crepe knit in vibrant Fire, is a great transition dress for early Fall.
What’s next for David and CrOp, only he knows the details. I can hardly wait to see his Spring ’12 collection, which I hear is based on a New Orleans inspiration from a local artist with some Crescent City roots? That will be showing this coming month at important trade shows such as The Coterie in NYC. Did I mention that David has recently launched his own online shop where you can look and buy many of his awesome designs from both Collection and CrOp. Click on www.davidpeckcollection.com.
To see some photos from the WOW Event benefiting Dress for Success at TOOTSIES, click here.