Modern Baroque adorns Fab’rik and Catch 22

Rotterdam based architect Erick van Egeraat described Modern Baroque (Dutch: Moderner Barock) in his seminal 1997 book ”Six Ideas About Architecture” as “a translation from the cool if poetic functionalism of the earlier projects, to a much richer interpretation of the possibilities of architecture.” He went on to say that “we have misunderstood the game of reduction; this century, western avant-garde design has been obsessed with showing only the bare essentials. It is an overestimated virtue...What I intend to achieve with a building is not the minimum, but on the contrary richness, complexity. More! Richer!”

The bare essentials are necessary, but it is how we ornate and detail these essentials that make the aesthetics of a project more elaborate and possibly more elegant. This project can be architectural. This project can be culinary. In Raleigh’s case, this project is fashionable and is now available at two new boutiques in downtown, Fab’rik and Catch 22. Both boutiques add a new flare to downtown Raleigh, a flare that is much needed. The downtown retail scene, fashion to be specific, needs a face lift. Some may think a baroque version of this face lift is a bit old fashioned, but these two storefront filling and formal, yet vibrant atmosphere retailers think otherwise. Baroque can be hip. Baroque can be modern.

The dialogue begins with a store that opened August 10th in Cameron Village. Franchise owner Paige Garner wanted, in her time away from her 9-5 job, to bring this hip aesthetic dialogue to downtown Raleigh. The product being fashion. The company being Fab’rik. Fab’rik, which is the phonetically correct spelling of the word fabric, is “an elevated fashion experience” first envisioned in the city of Atlanta, Georgia. The first store was opened in August of 2002 and 5 years later it has only 5 stores in the US, the Raleigh location being the most recent.

Fab’rik describes itself as a “shopaholics dream”, yet prances down the runway with a low price point. Every article of clothing in the store, save denim, is under $100. With this, Fab’rik can attract a wider range of wallets. A certain neighbor around the corner cannot put this in their portfolio. Paige spoke about the importance of “experience and mood” in the creation of a friendly and fun environment to shop in. Shopping for new clothes shouldn’t be a heartache or a burden. It should require desire, fun and passion. We should want to look good, while not spending much money to accomplish it. In downtown Raleigh, the options for this are limited. Various clothing boutiques litter the suburbs, malls and strip malls along the highway corridors that extend from the city center, but few are available within walking distance of the state capital. Fab’rik gives this urban quality of shopping. Its interior harks back to Egeraat’s “modern baroque” vision, with elaborate chandeliers and colorful decorations. The clothing which includes brands such as 7 Diamond, Hanky Panky, Junk Food, True Religion and Hudson, each apply variations of a certain layered aesthetic that is reminiscent of Egeraat’s statements. The graphic tee, which has become very popular in the past couple of years is now morphed into the button down and other clothing items. Graphics are the new bare essential. It even has a water bar, with a variety of water selections, and a nice children’s collection.

One last aspect of Fab’rik that separates itself from the average clothing store is their “Rock Star Parties.” These are private parties for you and at least 10 of your friends to use the shop as your own private Idaho for an evening of drinks and dress. There is a 20% discount on all clothing in the store, complimentary beer/wine, and a shopping space to call your own from 7 - 9pm on the reserved evening. The latest was a group of ladies who regularly play bunco together, but decided that their monthly gaming night should be accompanied by a bit of shopping. With the resurgence of a popular 19th century dice game, comes a similar desire for baroque aesthetics in the fashion industry.

A bit closer to the state capital is another clothing boutique that shares a similar aesthetic but varies a bit in atmosphere. Where Fab’rik is open from 10am - 7pm each day, following a very similar format to its retail counterparts in Cameron Village, Catch 22 opens at noon and runs the night shift until 10pm. Staying open late on weekdays occurs very commonly for clothing stores in many urban settings and Catch 22 hopes to capitalize on what your average H&M in New York City already knows: Clients are money. On Glenwood South, the amount of day traffic is very small compared to that of the post work hours group, therefore Catch should be a good spot to pop into before going upstairs to The Rockford or down the street for a drink at one of the many new bars. Owner Heather Long opened Catch 22 on Monday October 22nd with a small amount of inventory, but stated that more will arrive “every day for the next couple of weeks” from men’s jeans to women’s accessories.

Heather went to school in the area but worked in Los Angeles for a while doing makeup and returned recently with a vision of opening the store. She will also have a few personal designs in the upcoming Runway Wars fashion show at Vintage 21 on November 16th. Other local designers including DRC, LLLavender, and Verses Jeans will be participating as well.

Another aspect of Catch 22, will be its ‘First Saturday Parties’. These will be the first Saturday of each month, starting December 1st, from 8pm - 11pm and will have DJs spinning tunes and you browsing through clothing racks. Similar to Fab’rik, the intent is to create a shopping experience downtown that layers clothing, friends, music and nightlife. Brands will include Fidelity, Obey, Kitchen Orange, and Fortune Denim, which also carry a “modern baroque” aesthetic. The interior of Catch 22, designed by Heather and Clark Hipolito of The Art Company, also shows off the deep jewel tones associated with “modern baroque.” Chandeliers with candles instead of light bulbs dangle from the ceiling and fashion statements are scripted on the walls. The last statement in the “About” section of Catch 22’s website says: “Strike out in style with our bold designs, funky accessories, and evening essentials. Keep it confidental!” In its location, Catch 22 won’t stay confidential long.

This level of baroque aesthetic has been creeping back into culture over the past few years. From Baroque Pop bands like Arcade Fire to Patrick Wolf, designers like Marcel Wanders and Ryan McGinness, bars like Lounge Lover in London and Hudson Bar in New York City, to the fashion mentioned above, baroque is definitely seeking the throne. Egeraat could be seen as the Bryan Ferry of the Architecture industry, both having a passion about elaborate design/style and its relationship to their specific art; Egeraat in architecture, Ferry in music. Both would be proud that the fashion industry seems to have helped state their case in the year 2007.

Now, it’s only time before the neon colored, Pee-Wee’s Playhouse collage inspired, atari graphic, and 8bit electro music scene spazzes Raleigh out in 2008.