Ikram Goldman Toasts the Next Gen

Friday night, guests danced on the roof of the Mondrian Soho for a Fashion Week celebration hosted by Artspace.com, artist Nick Cave, and Chicago boutique owner and stylist Ikram Goldman. The artist’s “Sound Suits”—elaborately and flamboyantly cosumed mannequins—were on display, in advance of his dual Saturday-opened exhibitions at Jack Shainman and Mary Boone. Of the latter, he said, “The exhibition is really about you walking into a dream… It’s supple and vibrant—a new hybrid in a global world.” Cave himself was some kind of hybrid, dressed in “a little Vivenne Westwood, a little Gaultier.”

Moving through the crowd, Goldman was unmissable in a chic headband and black dress. That day, she’d gone to Jason Wu and Suno; the latter had, for the first time, upgraded from a presentation to a runway show. “I have to say I was blown away by Suno’s show tonight; it was so fun, beautiful pieces. Incredible styling.” Goldman says her “top people” are Thakoon, Rodarte, and Narciso Rodriguez—”I think those are, to me, the complete representation of the young new guard,” she said. “I think New York is complete with Rodarte. Rodarte sort of gets me in the mood for Europe.” As for the next generation, she says it might be the year for Chicago, and she’s rooting for Windy City-based Creatures of the Wind. “They’re up for the CFDA award,” she gushed. “I’m so excited about them being here.”

PHOTO: Nick Cave and Ikram Goldman.