Parka Hires

Though Pleet had to dissolve her end of the partnership because of a demanding schedule — “She’s the busiest person on the planet,” says Hartman of Pleet, who has three previously hatched collections — Hartman went on to design the Spring ’09 collection solo. For Spring, Hartman maintains Bodkin’s signature classic look with an element of flirtatiousness: high-waisted skirts and shorts, asymetrical leggings, boyfriend parkas, and gossamery dresses, made from organic and reclaimed materials like 100 percent recycled PET, organic cotton and utility mesh made from recycled bottles, “the kind of mesh you see on sneakers or luggage,” explains Hartman. “People either love or hate it,” she says. So what was on the runway for her Fall ’09 collection? Expect her playful use of texture and fine attention to detail, but in standout materials like polyester crepe, ripstop nylon, unprocessed Ahimsa silk (“made at a mill blessed by the Dalai Lama”), and “skiwear fabric from one of the world’s most environmentally progressive factories” Hartman says… “and [it’s not used] for outerwear!” she adds. Take a gander yourself. Available at No 6 Store, Jumelle, Steven Alan and Kaight.