Hot Young Designers Who Have Recently Been on Fire
Who does not salivate over a Valentino or a Chanel walking down the runway and the Red Carpet? But, there has also been an onslaught of raw, young talent recently that has stirred the pot, mixed things up and made it more exciting. Here are my 5 personal favorites:
Jason Wu:
When Michelle Obama wore his white, one-shouldered, silk-chiffon and Swarovski crystal gown for the inaugural-balls , it instantly catapulted him to rock star fame. What with the First Lady consistently and faithfully choosing his designs for her public appearances, and the whole nation obsessing over her fashion sense, the 26-year-old has become almost a household name. His designs are always tastefully done, having a ladylike understated elegance while exuding just the right amount of oomph to grab your attention. No wonder Mrs. Obama finds so much use for it. His fall 2009 collection was dominated by sleeveless dresses in striking colors and sweet flouncy skirts tempered with structured blazers.
Esteban Cortezar:
After the retirement of its founder, Emmanuel Ungaro, the legendary French Fashion House, Ungaro known for its playful and sensual interpretations of color and prints, got a face lift with the appointment of the young and dashing 23 year old Columbian born Esteban Cortezar as its chief designer. This design prodigy had already made history at 18 as the youngest designer to ever show at New York Fashion Week in 2003. His Fall 2009 collection for Ungaro saw him settle comfortably into this iconic brand with renewed vigor and vitality. His young sexy presentation was full of bold colors, pink touches (a trademark for Ungaro), feminine ruffles, body skimming drapes, bandage dresses, puffed skirts and metallic banded sandals with embellished tights. It was fun, fun, fun!
Hannah Marshall:
This undeniably fierce 25-year-old British designer has mesmerized everyone with her darkly elegant and architectural pieces. Her deceptively simplistic designs are characterized with tremendous detail and unique juxtaposition of fabrics . Her obsession with the concept of communicating through clothing finds its way into her creations in the form of hidden messages in Braille incorporated into her garments. Talk about being unique! Her 2009 fall collection was conceived based on the idea of a body armor as a form of protection and strength. Body skimming outfits sporting strong shoulders in her signature black color were the main theme.
Erin Fetherston:
Here is a woman who is not afraid to proudly embrace her inner girliness. Her line, started in 2004, has become synonymous with delicate tea party dresses and feminine whimsicality. Her 2009 fall collection, inspired by antique dolls paints a virtual fantasy with full-skirted dresses, polka dots, Peter Pan collars, glittery hats, bows as a throwback to every childhood fairytale character that has lived in bedtime stories.
Alexander Wang:
Any list of young designers worth its salt would have to include the immensely talented and dynamic Alexander Wang. This winner of the 2008 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award for the Emerging Designer category is the master of everyday, urban chic that finds that perfect balance between clean and edgy. Wang’s 2009 fall collection was the antonym of frilly and frothy. Powerful, tough biker chic looks in black, white and sophisticated, muted plum dominated the show. From menswear inspired stylized white button down to tough rocker girl getups in fur and leather, Wang is the way to go for some downtown cool!
Find at Smarter.com: Shop though a great selection of women’s clothing from top names like Michael Kors, Betsey Johnson and more!
Image Source: NyMag.com
