Yellow Plantain Fashion.
Fashion Week: Academy Of Art University RTW Spring 2014 Show and Taina Café.
By Waldo Tejada.
I have a bittersweet relationship with fashion. My fascination with the craft goes beyond the in vogue aspect of it and is more about the artistic part of it. I understand fashion design as one of the ultimate art forms as it require craftsmanship, dedication, creativity, vocation and talent; not unlike any of the other arts that I enjoy so much. I see fashion and attire expression as one of the most prominent representative of public art, the one that truly epitomizes the genre and the true meaning of “accessible for all to see”. But my personal experience with it is painted with those relationships I had with people in the industry, some of who are real prima donnas reminding me of the bully part of it; the arrogant designers, the mean girls, the skinny models, the fashionistas, the assistants, the obnoxious queens and the groupies. Been caught myself in the industry for a short period of time in the past; I have battled my enthrallment with the beautiful creations of a lot of emergent designers and some of the masters of fashion - whom I admire very much - with my apprehension toward the less glamorous part of fashion. It doesn’t help this dichotomy the fact that I consider myself more of an activist nerd, feminist gay guy who struggles with his body image and loves science fiction movies.
Two weeks ago when I received an invitation to attend one of the most popular student shows during the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York. I felt torn between my excitement to go to the iconic Lincoln Center event and my rebellious instincts toward mainstream. Weak in principles, as always, I decided to go! More of a peace offering from a friend, the coveted invitation was a welcomed one, as it represented my only chance to attend this very famous New York attraction. I genuinely enjoyed it! I felt the familiar pre-show anticipation, now from the audience side. I saw many young people taking their photo-op with the celebrities, some more famous than other, and the buzzing of proud relatives as the show was about to begin. The Academy Of Art University’s show itself was a delight, characterized by a wonderful mix of the work of ten designers who combined raw edged, tri-color dyed, textures and layers with intricate patterns in slouchy shapes in white or muted colors leaving us, the audience, in awe with each collection.
I walked out of Lincoln Center feeling as much of a celebrity as all New Yorkers do after attending a Fashion Week event. Sprinkled with some of the star dust from the show’s audience and dressed to kill I decided to do a little walking myself trough the beautiful catwalk that is the city. The weather was perfect and I wanted to extend my pseudo-celebrity feeling for as long as I could. I walked down Broadway, cross over to the East Side strolling my Louis Vuittons with a skip on my step, like a true New Yorker…or not! Once on 5th Ave I decided that I had enough of the attitude and needed some grounding food and most of all: a drink!
I have heard of a Dominican restaurant in Midtown. I've been meaning to try it, but always forget the address or that such place exists in this part of town. I found Taina Café on Lexington after blistering both of my feet with the fancy shoes. On arrival the bartender offered me a Tamarind Mojito, a delicious take on the classical, but too sweet for my taste. I opted for a red wine to start. Following the lead of my fellow bar eaters I decided to try the Picadera Taina. Unaware the dish was meant for 2 people, I stared in disbelieve as the waiter placed the huge platter on the bar! Consisting of a sampling of most of the appetizers on the menu, it was crowned by a yellow plantain gondola in the middle. I’ve tried Platano Maduro in as many ways as you could possible cook it and always loved it, but this yummy codfish stuffed yellow plantain is now my favorite. I asked for a digestive and drank the recommended Mamajuana wishing I could walk barefooted to the subway.
iLoveDominicanRepublic, Tequia Experiences and Taina Café have partnered to bring you a preview of our new dance vacations in Dominican Republic this month of September, please visit http://ilovedominicanrepublic.com/xiomarita-nyc.htm for details.
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Additional photo credit: Rodin Banica for WWD