Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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TALENT PATROL The traditional and feminine are hallmarks of Luke Aaron's style. Boston Fashion Week, where he wowed the city's style cognoscenti last year with his hyper-feminine, exquisitely crafted apparel. Aaron credits his background in costume design for giving him a strong foundation to launch his own brand. "The first time I did costume design I was a senior in high school. When I got to Tufts University they instructed us to take a class 'for fun,' so I took History of Fashion in the drama department, and the teacher became my mentor." He got a job at Tufts' costume shop and learned how to drape and sew. After graduInspired by: ating, his mentor encouraged him to apply Madeleine to the prestigious Yale University School of Vionnet, Claire Drama for costume design, where he McCardell, worked on every component of a theater Charles James, and Lucile production, including lighting and set Mantra: design, and honed his sketching skills. "Limitations are "The drawings are so important to costume opportunities for design because that is what you are taking creativity." to producers, directors, and actors," says Food that feeds the designer. "Yale emphasized painting him: Craigie On and drawing techniques, and the sketch as Main a work of art." Fabric favorite: His graduate degree landed him work as Silk crêpe an assistant to costume designers Carrie Robbins and Tony Award– nominated Jane Greenwood. "I did a lot of large-scale period shows, like Treasure Island, which is nice because you are making costumes from scratch," says Aaron. After two years in New York City, Aaron came back to Boston to launch his eponymous line, with his sister as a business partner. "Having a fashion line is a lot like raising a child, and it is far easier to have family around to help," he says. Throughout the four seasons he has shown thus far, Aaron's asymmetrical draping, tailored Edwardianstyle jackets, and his ode to the traditional and feminine are hallmarks of his style. For Fall 2013, Aaron admits, "1930s meets 1970s" film noir was the inspiration. So who is front of mind for his designs? His ideal client, he says, is effortlessly chic and has a taste for the draUP-AND-COMING WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER matic—like Boston style icon Marilyn Riseman, who is LUKE AARON SHOWS HIS LATEST COLLECTION DURING a great supporter and bought one of his jackets right off BOSTON FASHION WEEK. BY JESSICA LANIEWSKI the runway after a recent show. Aaron has sold his clothing at Clementine in Wellesley, and he plans to expand the ready-to-wear s designer Luke Aaron carefully pins a frock from his Fall/Winter line into wholesale. "I design a lot of dresses, but in the future I want to 2013–14 collection onto a dress form in his sleek North End atelier, explore separates even more," he says. "Fashion design is so liberating his commitment to perfection is obvious. "I have always been inter- because I can tell a story with my clothing." And that story continues when ested in design," says the Boise, Idaho, native. He debuted his line with the Aaron shows his newest collection to Bostonians this month. By appointSpring/Summer 2012 collection and currently designs ready-to-wear, ment, 38A Fleet St., 617-921-4422; lukeaaronboston.com. For information about bridal, and evening gowns. This month he makes a triumphant return to Luke Aaron's Fashion Week show, visit bostonfashionweek.com. BC INSIGHT A 62 PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL BENJAMIN Fine Form BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 062_BC_SP_TP_Aaron_Fall13.indd 62 8/2/13 2:23 PM