DESIGNERS

Timeless, minimal and inspired by origami, Ann-Sofi Storbacka’s Valo bag for her label Väska is not like most handbags. She created it as part of her final project in Accessory Design at the Escola Superior de Disseny Felicidad Duce in Barcelona and didn’t use any stitching. She tells us “I like the idea of using a single piece of leather [...]

 Lindley Gray’s Ihrin necklace is not only special to her, but a popular piece in her Brooklyn-based emerging designer label Stendhal. Made with recycled glass beads that she sourced over two years ago in Bali and balanced with etched brass metal components, it’s her way of ”embracing texture and imperfections in natural components.” With craftsmanship being a [...]

Grant Hewit wanted a high quality travel duffle with a clean look that didn’t break the bank. That’s what propelled him to start Hudson Sutler, a New York-based line of travel gear that caters to travel enthusiasts and gives equal praise to function and aesthetics.   With a background in finance, his next course of [...]

Erica Simon says that her Brooklyn-based accessories label Robbie Simon, a name that pays respect to her grandfather takes inspiration from historical references and puts the unlikely together. Pearls with oxidized metals along with bones and raw gemstones against chic, highly polished precious metals are just some of the combinations found in the line. This [...]

For spring, Lacey Berry wanted to create a modern version of the native American squash necklace. It had to be geometric, versatile and colorful; all three charecteristics that make up her brand Lacey B. Designs. She landed on the Square Blossom bib made from Czech glass bugle beads that come on either a blue or [...]

With a background in cultural anthropology, Roberta Gorin believes that humans use fashion to construct a sense of self. Taking this thesis-worthy insight, she started Temerity Jewelry, a Brooklyn-based label that shows how well-crafted pieces can help transform personal style. Roberta treats each collection like an academic pursuit. Researching the subject, going to museums and trying to immerse [...]

For fall, London-based handbag designer Danielle Foster has partnered with British womenswear label Charlie May to fuse their talents and work off of each others synergies. Taking inspiration from volcanic ash, ice, rock and fire, her key silhouettes the tote and satchel now come in a black and burgundy color blocking made from a durable bridle leather. Her [...]

Simplicity, modernity and tailored cuts are the elements of Sarmite Ostanevica’s namesake label. Taking influence from Surrealism, this London-based emerging designer offers flattering silhouettes that are stylish in form and delightful to the eye. Case and point: her cocoon-like jacket that shows a carefully shaped image of a face; which is just one of many looks [...]

Katie Deguzman and Michael Miller have a good story to tell. They met at Parsons, flourished in design and then created an edgy, fearless fashion label after they spent time in the industry working with some of the strongest jewelry labels. Their new line K/LLER has been out a few seasons and has landed in [...]

NY NOW, formerly the New York International Gift Fair has announced their latest open call for emerging designers for fall market. This opportunity allows new brands to gain exposure within their niche and sell their products at the wholesale level to top retailers. The two categories include:  A+ the Young Designers’ Platform at Accent on Design [...]

The Saunder girl. She’s a fun-loving urban warrior with forward thinking sensibilities. And, she has a penchant for some serious style. For fall, Emily Saunders infused her affair with rock and roll (think the glory days of Queen) into the collection. She told us, “I translated the textures and complexities of the music I was listening [...]

Just in time for spring, the City Bag will make its debut. A collaboration between Stitch Collective, the new fashion brand that holds design contests for emerging designers to build their inventory and Omar Aguirre, a recent Parsons grad and now designer at Tim Coppens. He tells us, the bag was created for the metropolitan woman. [...]

Recollection by Sandra Murphy is a testament that today’s modern women can look good in timeless silhouettes. Her Mrs. Parker dress in cotton comes in Sandra’s custom lawn print and is suited for those carefree days of summer. And, the Margo circle skirt paired with a classic crepe de chine blouse is not only flattering, but is [...]

They often say that you can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl. Erin Murphy is one of those girls. Her label, Em Reservoir strikes a balance for those that teeter with the allure of the city’s bright lights, but still enjoys the pleasures of rustic [...]

For fall, New York-based handbag designer Jess Rizzuti has blue on the mind. A bold lapis to be exact. Her new silhouette, the Sophie, is striking to the eye and made with a combo of supple leather for the body and suede trim. With a detachable strap, this roomy handbag works as a crossbody or [...]

For fall, Monica Wesley has evolved her label Uye Surana to include a strong balance of ready-to-wear and lingerie. Building on her carefree, effortless lifestyle aesthetic, this season is all about relaxed looks with soft and organic shapes. Her drawstring faceted hem top in silk comes in berry and black and can be adjusted at the strap and [...]

Kimberly Sherer describes her New York-based ready-to-wear label Jordan Louis as comfortable luxury. After working with names such as John Varvatos and Nili Lotan, she’s launched with a collection that is reflective of her tenure and work with suiting. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, the collection is modern and shows what happens when fabrics are allowed [...]

1. The reviews are in for Alexander Wang’s first show as creative director of Balenciaga. Here’s why the collection received positive reviews. (via The New York Times) 2. Building a relevant, easy-to-navigate website requires a few key elements. Find out what goes into create one. (via Entrepreneur) 3. Fashion’s Night Out will not happen in [...]

London-based designer Lisan Ly likes to translate the simple pleasures of life into her work. Butterflies, orchids and a floral kaleidoscope are the subjects of her vibrant and luxurious silk scarves. This season, her inspiration was Kew Gardens tapped with bits of influence from both her British and Asian cultures to shape her color palette [...]

After designing handbags for 10 years, Mary Lai decided that now was the time to start her own line. Born under her name, her first collection has taken into account what savvy, stylish ladies want in investment accessories. This spring, she’s launched with three strong silhouettes in a variety of colors that fit into various [...]

For fall, Kristi Vosbeck has a new story to tell. Her inspiration: Sherlock Holmes in Paris with influences from Shanghai. What you’ll see are more sophisticated looks, a sharper edge and strong tailoring shown through a rich color story which includes a proper dose of orange, a smoked grey, sage, black and opium white. A bit [...]

To debut their label Tilly and William, Jessica Lapidos and Thomas Barranca chose to do a fashion show. Yes, this was a show that not only included the proverbial pomp and circumstance of models walking down the runway, but dancers with sensual leaps and bounds that were not only entertaining, but also showed the design, comfort and wearability of [...]