Designers Who Rate A “10”
I, for one, could not be more excited about the end of summer, the beginning of fall, and of course, the start of New York Fashion Week (and yet another fashion season). I’ve been looking over the jam packed schedule in anticipation, getting myself mentally ready for a busy, productive, and hopefully inspiring week, and found myself asking: if I could only see 10 shows, which would they be and why?
This is what I came up with, in random order, (and please don’t take it personally if you did not make the list but I had to edit it down to just a meager few):
2- Alexander Wang: Named as the 2011 CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year, he is known for his unapologetically hip, cool, streetwise/utilitarian/active sportswear meets urban vibe; AW is undeniably on a roll what with the opening of his second flagship store in Beijing (I purchased his sleeveless white cotton wrap and tie shirt that easily converts to a cape, from spring 2011- and it’s been one of my most favorite, versatile, and dramatic go to pieces this summer).
3- Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein: He is 7th Avenue’s reigning minimalist whose consistently pure lines and inventive fabrication are guaranteed to move American sportswear forward into the 21st century.
4- Michael Kors: Known for his signature American sportswear with a jet set attitude, he has put a luxurious spin on accessories and sportswear for 30 years. In addition, Michael is a true ‘Billion Dollar Man’ since his brand, (on the verge of filing an IPO in 2012), has been valued at 2.5 billion. It also doesn’t hurt that most of us in the audience would kill to look like Michael’s models on the runway, and are enviably coveting the clothes and accessories they are wearing. Fyi, Mazel Tov on your recent nuptials!
5- Ralph Lauren: First Ralph dropped the name Lifshitz, and now he just dropped another name- Polo, from his company, as a way to ‘tighten’ up his image; this true American icon, who almost defines American sportswear, is also one of the lucky few designers whose companies showed substantial growth on Wall Street in recent months. He must be doing something right and indeed he is!
6- Proenza Schouler: Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez are known for their highly visual, hip, cool, youthful couture like designs (thankfully, there is nothing minimal about what they do), and they were just awarded the 2011 CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award. Their accessories are highly coveted and their classic satchels bags (PS1 and PS11), have become collector’s items.
7- Rodarte: The West Coast based Mulleavy sisters are undeniably talented, inventive, creative; they love to push the envelope, experiment, and surprise, and share a singular vision. Their collections are true labors of love, defined by an almost other worldly quality, amazing workmanship, intricate handiwork, meticulous attention to detail, and beautiful fabrication. They received the 2008 CFDA Swarovski Emerging Designer of the Year Award.
8- Narciso Rodriguez: If you look up the word modern in the dictionary, there is a picture of Narciso next to it. Known for his clean lines and sleek silhouettes, Narciso melds the worlds of art, fashion, and architecture each season.
9- Ralph Rucci: One of the highlights of New York Fashion Week is seeing a Chado Ralph Rucci show and witnessing fashion at it’s highest point. A winner of the 2008 Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards and a retrospective of his work presented by the Museum at F.I.T., Mr. Rucci is a true Renaissance man and an accomplished artist, who sculpts, paints, designs his own prints, and creates his own fabrics.
10 – Marc Jacobs: Let’s put it this way, if I have to explain why Marc is on my list, you shouldn’t be in the fashion business (nor should you be reading this report).
– Marilyn Kirschner
Such a great article which more excited about the end of summer, the beginning of fall, and of course, the start of New York Fashion Week. In which It been looking over the jam packed schedule in anticipation, getting myself mentally ready for a busy, productive, and hopefully inspiring week, and found myself asking: Thanks for sharing this article.