Heidi Ackerman at FAT

Heidi Ackerman is, as I've said before, hands-down, one of the best designers in the country; so I was downright giddy when I saw that she was showing at FAT. And, as always, she showed up everyone else, debuting a transcendent collection of grit, electricity, and sensuality, plus her usual fine, fine craftsmanship.

Ackerman nails each design requirement: vision, construction, fit, fabric, silhouette...

Her trademark knits were present as usual, this time in drool-worthy Scarface-era shades and patterns of pale greys, corals, and lemon, and lightning slashes.

So, too, were her over-sized shapes and futuristic styling, here manifested in shoulder flaps, slouchy trousers that taper in the leg, huge linebacker shoulders on a sheer knit dress, slashed arms on a slick military-like jacket, and a long-sleeved knit bodysuit (!) with a deep cowl-neck.

And, for sheer perfection, just take a look-see at the super-soft coral-and-grey knit shift--it's that elusive balance between femme and fucking-fierce, with a perfectly flattering body-skimming shape, some quirk in the exaggerated shoulders, and a deep cowl-neck again for sex appeal, plus that rockin' Miami palette n' pattern.

Heidi Ackerman is truly a national treasure. I may sound hyperbolic, but this is true love, bitches. True love.

Photos by Jonathan Loek.