Models have the right moves at Passport show

Tag : Men's Jeans

Sweaty acrobatic dancing, as TV ratings prove, is a crowd pleaser.
Passport, the annual HIV/AIDS fundraiser now in its 26th year, hadtons of that, choreographed for the third year by Brian Friedman,who has worked with Britney Spears, Prince, Usher and others.Making his first appearance as guest choreographer was Alex DaSilva from Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" reality show, whoperformed a wild, spinning salsa dance number with his partner.
As always, the crowd at the first night's AmericanExpress-sponsored event just wanted to have fun, and they whoopedand cheered in all the right places.
New to Passport his year were a series of straight-up FinancialDistrict suits by Alfani Red, Macy's private-label manufacturer,worn by a group of dancers who shimmied down a big metal staircaseto the tune of "Putting on the Ritz." Actress Merilee Brasch, infull-on Marilyn Monroe finery, introduced the Ed Hardy segment byblowing kisses and pouting perfectly.
Also new this year were a '60s-inspired Mod segment with clothes byBen Sherman; tarty, sparkly minidresses with glitter tattoo-likedesigns from Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier, and a hip-hop dancenumber performed by buff guys in black-and-white Keith Haringgraffiti jeans that were manufactured only for the Passport shows.
The show opened with the Oakland pop band the Lovemakers settingthe fast, thumping pace, as all-American sportswear - like whitewide-leg pants worn with a floaty red blouse, preppy argylesweaters and double-breasted blazers - by Tommy Hilfiger wastrotted out. (Hilfiger's line is now sold only at Macy's and hisown boutiques.)
An all-black punk segment was timely, given the new "Gothic Glam"show at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Modelswore exaggerated faux Mohawk wigs with their black minis, bikerjackets, tight jeans, latex leggings, piles of long chain jewelryand knee-high flat combat boots, styled by Macy's Women's FashionDirector Tifani Wilt, who selected all the women's clothing; themenswear segments were put together by Macy's men's fashiondirector, Durand Guion.
Other guest artists included No Doubt drummer Adrian Young, whodanced down the stage after his solo, throwing drumsticks into thecrowd, and the kids' dance troupe Jabbawockeez, who did acombination of hip-hop and acrobatic moves.
A moment of calm came along with the Calvin Klein segment, whichmade perfect sense. These were composed clothes, ranging from ashimmery chartreuse gown to a popcorn-knit gray cape-y sweater anda bronze leather jacket. Then it was back to dancing, with the INCsegment, which had a salsa theme and a series of LBDs accented withlace bodices or lace sleeves.
The underwear segment, which came near the end, was worth the wait:This time the men wore football helmets, shoulder pads, whitesocks, cleats and little else.
Since the theme was football, there had to be cheerleaders. Thecrew from Cheer San Francisco, a nonprofit adult cheerleadingtroupe, threw each other up in the air and, fortunately, made theall-important catches after.
Now if they could only get Elizabeth Taylor - Passport's foundingchairwoman, who used to come to San Francisco for the event - tocome back and do a little song-and-dance number.
E-mail Sylvia Rubin at srubin@sfchronicle.com .
This article appeared on page F - 6 of the San Francisco Chronicle