House of Waris Jewelry

Some of the most interesting designers of NY Fashion Week were not on the runway.  Waris Ahluwalia first made waves co-starring in The Darjeeling Limited and other quirky movies like Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are Undead.  He is consistently spotted by NY media as the ultimate global hipster socializing around town.

As a designer, he has craftsmen in Rome and India make the jewelry for the House of Waris.  His collections have been known to sell out at luxury boutiques like Maxfield's in Los Angeles and Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

The collection he showed in the Lincoln Center tents during Mercedes-Benz Fashion week had an elegant look with European and Eastern influences.  Gold pieces were inlaid with delicate stones, shapes were inspired by forms in nature.  I don't know what I like more, the idea of Waris, an international man of style celebrated for his "exotic" look, or that he has the multi-tasking career that any fashionista would dream of (boutique/jewelry/tea shop entrepreneur with an acting career in artsy films).

If you're shopping for a jetsetter this holiday, this collection is the one to complete your gift list.

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Siki Im and Leong Leong's Pop-up Boutique for BOFFO

The latest installation for the  non-profit arts organization BOFFO project "Building Fashion" launched Friday.  Designer Siki Im and architect Leong Leong presented their pop-up boutique, or what I call "cave couture".  The stone or cave-like building dwells under the High Line Park.

Building Fashion is a series of temporary installations that have been  a collaboration between design professionals of several disciplines.  Past partnerships included Richard Chai and Snarkitecture, Heather Huey and Urban A&O and of course House of Waris with competition winner Christian Wassman.
The shop will be on display until November 15th, 2010.
Photos by David Smith

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House of Waris Design Competition

Fashion Incubator inductee, the House of Waris, is heading for the Highline.  What this means for you is that Waris Ahluwalia needs a designer for his pop-up shop to house his jewelry collection.

Your budget will be $5000.  The winning designers will be responsible for building and installing the set-up for Building Fashion, a premier NYC cultural event this fall.  You will be working closely with Mr. Ahluwalia to collaborate on the perfect design.

Judges consist of luminaries from architecture, fashion and design.  Winners will be featured in a multitude of design websites and magazines.  

Miss this one?  The Building Fashion project is a series of design challenges with different fashion designers.  Subscribe and see which project is for you!

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CFDA's Fashion Incubator Ready to Cook...

Last week, 12 independent designers put their personal touches onto their new digs. The CFDA's Fashion Incubator program set forth to help develop promising talent with mentors and subsidized studios in the garment district.

The Council of Fashion Designers in America worked with New York mayor Michael Bloomberg on the initiative. The local industry has recognized the need to save the garment industry in the Big Apple, as well as nurture emerging talent. This project aims to tackle both.

For some designers this is a big leap for their business, many of whom are working outside of their owns for the first time.

Who are the lucky labels? The list of incubator designers include Alice Ritter, House of Waris, Prabal Garung,Dao-Yi Chow, Maxwell Osbourne, Bibhu Mohapatra,Grey Ant, Gemma Redux, Jolibe, Sang A, Subversive jewelry, Tom Scott and Ruby Kobo.

Photos by Kyle Ericksen for WWD

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