WEST VILLAGE — Asher Levine, a New York-based designer who's created daring outfits for megastars like Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas and the Scissor Sisters, showed his claws Friday in debuting his latest collection for Fashion Week.
Levine's spiky boots, giant, tendril-like gloves and rubber ties are only some of the pieces he displayed during his Fashion Week runway show, held at the Jefferson Market Library in the Village Friday night.
"I think it's really fun to stretch and pull and expand and contract the silhouette," Levine, 23, told DNAinfo backstage during his fall Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week presentation, marking of his fifth collection to date.
"I think stretching the silhouette can be really sexy. And that's really how you create new and innovative designs and objects."
In the past, Levine has designed an all-leather jumper and bodysuit that Lady Gaga wore in her 2011 music video "Marry The Night." He also designed a jacket with blinking lights for the Black Eyed Peas, and suit jackets for Bruno Mars when they performed at MTV Video Music Awards last summer.
"I love all of my clients," Levine said. "Lady Gaga, will.i.am, Jim Steinman...and also, you know, the person that's walking down the street."
Levine is known for his rock 'n roll look, which in the past has included octopus-like tentacles coming off of jumpsuits and jackets, as well as white leather body suits and giant sunglasses.
The edgy designer, who moved to New York at 18, said living in the city has inspired him to create such stunning pieces.
"I started sewing when I was really little, and I really refined the skills and the creation in the West Village," Levine said. "I started making clothes in the basement of the apartment I was living in."
For Levine, the ultimate goal of a career in fashion is simply to enjoy the ride.
"Have fun. Fashion is about having fun," he said. "Go out and feel hot, and work the runway."
