Indie Designer Heaven - Brooklyn's Bust Craftacular

It's your last weekend to get in some good holiday shopping. Shop small, shop indie designers for a special gift. Bust Magazine's Bust Craftacular is one of the best holiday pop-ups in NYC. You'll find tons of fashion and accessory designers, jewelry makers, gourmet edibles, crafts and home decor artisans.

The magazine curates the show very tightly, so the caliber of work is impressive across all categories. It's female-centric, as is the magazine itself. I absolutely hate the word "hipster" but the aesthetic of the Craftacular defininitely skews more young and artsy as opposed to the more granny-friendly shows out there.

The show is on Saturday and Sunday of this weekend. Check out the Bust Craftacular vendors to see if you can recognize your favorite. You can make a day of it, shop the show, eat the nibbles, have a drink at the uber cool Greenpoint bars. The location is at the Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble Street, Greenpoint Brookyn. 

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Independent Handbag Designer Awards 2015

 The best of independent handbag designers were awarded this week at the Independent Handbag Designer Awards 2015. Makers from all over the world participated with their passion projects. It is one of my favorite industry awards as it truly celebrates and elevates indie designers without the distracting factors of celebs, paparazzi, and red carpets.

The event is the dream of designer Emily Blumenthal. It was a way to bring recognition to the legions of independent labels who made handbags. Now in its ninth year, winners of the awards now land spreads in InStyle magazine, receive mentorships at huge brands, debut their collections at Bloomingdale's and are carried on the arms of top celebrities. 

What always struck me about these awards was the sincere involvement of established designers themselves. One of the first iconoclast lifetime achievement recipients was Carlos Falchi. Ever since the first awards show, he was so inspired by the event that he remained to involve and mentor future years as the unofficial Godfather of the awards until his recent passing. Blumenthal gave a wonderful tribute to the designer and his daughter was on hand to present the last award of the night.  

What I always loved about this competition was that it not only elevated the craft and recognition of design talent, but it rewarded humanity in the field as well. The most inspiring categories (long before it became fashionable) are ones like Best Green Handbag, won this year by Sugandh Agrawal of Gunas Handbags. She is committed to making her collection sweatshop-free and ethically produced. Her winning bag was made from biodegradable canvas and recycled lining.

There is also the most Socially Responsible Handbag won by Ana Maria Plata of Leonor Designs. She worked with the Kuna community of Columbia to create traditional textiles called Molas. She then incorporated them into trendy, contemporary handbags. 

This year's recipient of the Iconoclast award was Rebecca Minkoff. Together with her brother, she was an emerging fashion designer herself during the first year of these awards and has grown into an international "IT" brand in the years since. 

Bravo to all of the Independent Handbag Designer Award Winners this year. You will find that hard work, passion and creativity do pay off here. I can't wait to see where you'll be next year!

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Indie Designer Pitch Night at This Is Story

Entrepreneurs showed their stuff earlier this week in hopes of being a part of NYC's most interesting retail project. Creators pitched STORY  founder Rachel Schechtman and Oprah Magazine's Creative Director Adam Glassman.  The boutique in Chelsea takes the "Point of view of a Magazine, Changes like a Gallery, Sells things like a Store". 

The store is an ever-evolving concept around a central theme or story. Right now, its "HER" story, focusing on women, a DressBar collection, groupings of merchandise curated by prominent women. Previous stories included themes of Love, Home for the Holidays, Style, Tech and Wellness. During the theme, there are related events with prominent speakers, workshops and socials,

Pitch Night at Story is for Makers to be Discovered and Network

I learned about STORY's famous Pitch Night at Martha Stewart's American Made conference. This is a night for entrepreneurs, creators, makers to pitch Schechtman and guests of honor (previous judges included Whoopi Goldberg). Each business owner has exactly three minutes to tell their story and present their product.

Weng Meng Design

I write about opportunities for my fellow designers. I figured it was time for me to put my own skills to use and pitch myself. I pitched my designer's pin-cushion ring I created for my fellow sewers. I also pitched my hand-beaded belts, jewelry and handbags from my Weng Meng Design label. 

My time with Adam Glassman and Rachel Schechtman was not a formal 3-minute presentation. It was more of a conversation. I loved how enthusiastic and engaged each of them were in what I presented. They could make the most nervous artist comfortable.  

The other purpose of Pitch Night was so that the creators and entrepreneurs could gather and network with each other while they waited for their turn to present. Collaborations had been formed, new professional relationships formed among the social atmosphere (and beer and snacks) provided by STORY.

I enjoyed speaking to Niambi Caccioli, founder of Bloomsbury Sq. who produces preservative-free bath products from New Jersey. I am enjoying the refreshing scent of the workout afterglow spray as I write this. I also met jewelry designer Dana Phillips who infuses Reiki energy into each of her Tulaa Jewelry designs. 

So are you ready to tell your story? Is your collection ready to be seen by the most influential retailers and editors out in the industry? Get on STORY's e-mail list to pitch or discover their next theme.

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Cruba by Mira Becker

What a treat NY Fashion Week can be when it reunites you with old-time school chums.  Mira Becker (now Von der Osten)  was in my class at Parsons School of Design.  I always remembered her wicked sense of humor and cool design sense.

Her label CRUBA hails from Berlin, Germany.  She proudly manufactures her collection within the country as well as in Poland.  She uses beautiful silks and cashmere, along with innovative closures like transparent and rubber zippers.  Her signature look then and now has been her use of drape.  Mira likes the juxtaposition of a slender fitted knit on one side of the body and an artistic drape of silk on the other.

Her key prints for spring 2015 was a quilted floral, which was quite a departure from her comfort zone.  The other print that was executed on silk and textured cotton was one that initially looked like pretty colors in an abstract pattern on white ground.  It was actually based on a photograph of garbage blown across snow, a way of making something beautiful from something discarded.  Of course, Mira jokingly referred to it as her “White Trash” print privately. 

Other key pieces in her collection were the hand knit sweater top made from multiple strands of cords in different sizes.  Tomato red was a hot color next to some of the neutrals and navy.  Mira Becker explained that the German fashion customer was all about impeccably finished clothing.  The irony is that the many of her customers are New Yorkers who have wandered their way into her boutique in Berlin’s gallery district.

Bravo and come visit often Mira!
photos by Mariana Leung

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Parsons Fashion 2014 - Part Two

 The wide range of fashion design graduates at Parsons New School of Design wanted to make sure they stood out.  Women's wear is saturated category, so a new designer's collection needs to have details that make it difficult to imitate.  This group of designers went with highly sculpted shapes and artful rendered detail.  Not exactly the clothes you find on the street, but that is a good thing.

Mijia Zhang built up big silhouettes with a combination of natural and brightly colored fur. The quirky combination of sporty stripes and footwear kept the elaborate fur from looking too overbearing or serious.

 Kailen Todt took an artistic approach to her collection.  There were swirls of painted patterns on the fabrics, but then the intricate knits also echoed the painterly approach with crochet  pieces that mirrored the same look.  The result was a gorgeous, body as art canvas effect.

Justin Chu probably took the most risks in deliberate sculpture of the garments.  He built volume through draping, padding, built up swirls and very structured tailoring.  You could even say his models were up on pedestals that unfortunately were toppled over.  The architecturally built shoes they wore presented quite a problem for the models as two of them both fell on their attempts to mount the runway.  They were good sports though, and it brought extra spotlight to the clothes they were wearing.  Based on how interesting the shapes of the collection were, they would have received the attention they deserved anyway.

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Parsons Fashion 2014 - Menswear

 Congratulations designers, you made it.  The fashion design graduates of Parsons New School of Design held its first runway show in its new digs last night.  I'll start with the menswear designers.  As you can see above, there were some dapper collections with some retro intellectual styling by Jennifer Lee and Moon Kyung Hwang.  Another with very effective use of black and white to graphic effect by In Seop Keum.

You had your more artistic collection from Simon Li that played on big wide proportions and variations in dyes and textures.

Then there were these looks by Hye GIn Hamm and Young Ji Cho that mixed sportswear and pajamas.  I wasn't quite sure if this was meant to be humorous or ironic.  The security blanket and pillow made the theme clear.  The clothes themselves were well fit and too tailored to look like they were really meant to be slept in.  However, they do look mighty comfortable right now.

photos by Mariana Leung

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Fashion Night Out Abolitionista Benefit

Celebrate a night of indie fashion designers with the bonus of being able to save a child.  A collective of artists and designers with The Set NYC have come together to host Fashion Night Out - Abolitionista Benefit.  The event raises money for efforts to stop child sex trafficking in its #PleaseSaveONEChild campaign.

The stylish night will include art exhibits and fashion shows from designers like REVERIE,  SNOWMAN, HOPE by Joy Hu & Joe Liang. Celebrity fans who wear these designes include Miss Universe Natalie Glebova, Miss Jamaica Chantal Zaky, Robin Kassner (Millionaire Matchmaker) and Angelina Pivarnick (MTV, VH1).  While enjoying the sights, guests can enjoy artisanal chocolates and cocktails. 

The event takes place in Chelsea on June 5, 2014.  If you hurry, you can buy one ticket and get your plus one's ticket for free if you purchase before Monday, May 19th.  

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Pratt Fashion 2014 - Part Three

The second half of the Pratt Fashion Show 2014 was a study in handcrafted techniques and art.
Molly Clare Coyle showed an ethnic-inspired, hand painted group with a beautiful color palette.  Taylor Janotte appeared to have a similar ethnic muse, but with fantastic hand knits and prints.

Neil Grotzinger created a collection that looked like a mix of collage and found object embroidery.  There was a kimono-type jacket that was printed with patterns that looked like poster graffiti.  There was a bustier that looked pieced together like papier mâché.  I loved the dresses that were embellished in irregular motifs with beads in a technique that looked like three dimensional graffiti.

If you are looking for fashion as sculpture, Juliana Horner's collection is for you.  Her designs had a play of sheer and solid, with big shapes that ignored or distorted the natural body form.  This collection was not meant for every day wear but was impressive as statement pieces on the runway.

Congratulations graduates!
Photos by Mariana Leung

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Singer 22 Open Call for New Designers

Is your collection ready to roll?  Singer 22 is an online retailer with two brick and mortar store locations that stocks contemporary designers like Haute Hippie, J Brand and Rag & Bone.   They are looking for new designer labels to carry in their design competition this season.

If you have what it takes, then gather together your look book, line sheets, pricing and of course, your contact information.  You will be asked to upload those to their site as well as explain why you should be their winner.  If you make it to the next round, you will be invited to present your collection to a panel of judges on June 19, 2013 in NYC.

ENTER HERE. The entry deadline is Sunday, June 9, 2013 (HURRY!)

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Vile and Valiant Fashion Design Contest

Calling all indie designers! Trendy Chicago boutique Vile and Valiant is holding a fashion design competition for the most fabulous dress.. Open to up-and-coming designers who have already made the dress and would be ready for it to be displayed.

According to their website, the Pret-a-porter contest is looking for dresses that " push the boundaries of fashion and creativity while creating beautiful, wearable pieces of clothing."  

You need to fill out an application, send up to 5 photos, describe your materials and your concept for entry.  The grand prize winner will win $1000, runners up will receive gift certificates for the store.

Good luck!

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Stuttgart Textile Knitting Design - Master Class

What are the capabilities of a knitting machine? Jersey? Rib? The textile design students of the Stuttgart State Academy of Art set out to explore that question in their recent exhibit, "Flamboyant". In collaboration with Stoll America and Zegna Baruffa lane Borgosesia, the designers created fashion creations of amazing knitting design.

I never thought that a machine was capable of the type of fringe, loops, pleating, tubes and fur textures that I witnessed at this exhibit.  The Stoll America facility in Midtown Manhattan has a range of machines where designers can learn different techniques of this rapidly changing technology.

Designers like Velia Dietz, Pina Jax, Sophie Probst and Sara Wendler previously had little to no actual fashion experience.  They primarily focused on textiles.  However, with a period of trial and error, they were able to create fantastic, couture quality creations that any fashion house would be proud to claim as their own.

Machine knitting is a very complex process.  It used to be that each panel had to be knit separately, then linked together for a garment.  Now machines can create fully finished clothing with techniques one had only seen in woven fabrics.  Stoll has a huge library as a creative resource for designers to research as inspiration.

Are you ready to spin some yarn?

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Fashion Design Open Calls!

If you saw the show at all, you saw what immense success could happen immediately to the competitors on a week to week basis.

I actually helped to screen the initial contestants from the NY open casting call.  I'm happy to see at least one of my choices did well (I won't say who).  Get ready for season 2 with open calls in major cities and online:

In NYC, open call is Saturday, July 14, 2012.  See more details here.
For other cities or online applications, see here.



Not a reality tv type?  Startup Fashion is a terrific website and resource for independent designers and small fashion firms.  They have a less flamboyant contest where they are looking to choose 5 designers to mentor and develop their businesses with.

It's an experiment of sorts, using their collective skills to prove their knowledge can truly help you create sustainable, scalable, profitable businesses.

Learn more about the program and how to enter here:

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Independent Handbag Designer Awards 2012

The best of independent handbag designers were honored last week at the Sixth annual awards.  This event is always truly special to me as someone who loves to champion indie creators.
Winning one of the awards isn't just a prize or a headline, but truly a multi-part support package that helps to advance the designer's career.

The award categories themselves brings out the best qualities that the indie fashion industry could hope for, like Most Socially Responsible (using ethical and moral standards in the production of the bag) and Best Green Handbag (made from sustainable, recycled or organic materials). Attendees are encouraged to donate old purses to Bottomless Closet, an organization that aims to outfit women with the confidence and fashion to interview for the right job.

Winners are featured InStyle magazine as supported by editor Ariel Foxman.  Singer sewing machines donate state of the art machines to equip an entire studio, mentorships, special collections in collaboration with designers all propel small business owners to new career levels.

Designers who were honored included Krystal Sokolis for Best Student Made handbag.  Sheila Harper won Singer Simplicity's award for Best Handmade, Aimee Kestenberg won Kipling's award for Creating with Nylon.  Best Green Handbag went to Fiona Kempton and Most Socially Responsible Handbag was awarded to Marisa Collado of Mexico.  The Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design was won by Bita and Rouzita Vahhabaghai for their gold and green reed-like clutch.  The Audience fan favorite (and mine) was Jennifer Lang's laser cut leather purse.

Designer and awards founder Emily Blumenthal has really mentored entire generations of designers with this competition.  Her passion has brought in designers like Carlos Falchi to do the same.

The iconoclast award honored Kenneth Cole this year.  His start in the industry is legendary, but his own wit about this business was even more charming.  His brand is known for leather goods, shoes and bags.  He advised that one should never judge a person until you walk a mile in their shoes... (If you still don't like them, you are a mile away from them and you also took their shoes).

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Fashion Institute of Technology - Class of 2012

The Fashion Institute of Technology had one of the most flamboyant shows of the design school grads around town this month.  Those who could not attend the show live were able to stream it in 3-D at home.

Categories from lingerie, womens wear, menswear, and childrens were interpreted in a variety of techniques and looks.  Students worked under designer critics like Victor Alfaro, Josie Natori and Michelle Smith to create their collections.  The clothing then went through a rigorous judging process to be included in the show by fashion industry bigwigs like Elle Magazine's Joe Zee, VH1's Alana Kelen and Harper's Bazaar editor Laura Brown.

Learn more about the students, the judges and mentors at their site. 

Photos by Mariana Leung

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Parsons Fashion Show - Accessories

The graduating class of Parsons School of Design students held their finale show Tuesday. I have a very long list of photographs that I need to edit from the runway show. In the meantime, I wanted to showcase the accessories designers that were on display outside of the auditorium.

Fanciful platforms with avant-garde heels dominated the shoe category. Mixed colors, patterns and structures elevated the footwear into high art.

In handbags, Coach and Li & Fung were major sponsors. Thus, the purses on display were a mix of practical, functional and highly fashionable. Creativity blossomed in the mixed materials and treatments. There were some interesting frames and multi seamed silhouettes that would look perfect on the shelves of Bergdorf's or Bendel's!

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D2 Presents Post December and Sookei Spring 2012

Fresh designer discovery!  Friday night, in a gala by non-profit D2 (Designers of 2nd Generation) debuted two Korean designers to NYC.  

The first was Sohyan Bhaak's collection, Post December.  This was Ms. Bhaak's third season in business, already selling well in Korea.  Her inspiration this season was the gladiolas.  The silhouettes of the clothing falling like petals.  Bright colors of orange and electric blue contrasted neutral cream and beige for contemporary, fashion forward sportswear.

The second designer to show Friday evening was Soo Kei.  Her background was rooted in architecture before her interest in fashion brought her to F.I.T.  The construction and tailoring of her pieces shows the architecture background, while the unusual play of proportions show off a more avant-garde nature.  The collection had a very monochromatic palette of off-white with hints of grey, as Soo Kei was inspired by the softness of the cotton fabric she used. 

The evening ended with scholarships being awarded to promising fashion students.  D2 certainly has an eye for talent.  Previous designers they have supported include accessories darling Eugenia Kim and Gen Art's new star, Jennifer Chun.  

 So what do you think of these new trendsetters of the East?  Take a chance and discover their style before the rest of the masses. 

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L.E.S. Runway - Crowdsourcing Fashion Designers

Cheryl Maleh has a dream to bring indie fashion designers to the runway and fashion fans to see them.  She is crowd funding a project on Kickstarter to fund a series of fashion shows with selected up-and-coming designers during fashion week, as a well as a pop-up shop to sell their collections.  This series will also be an opportunity for fans that aren't invited to the main shows to attend events as well.  

Ms. Maleh has long term goals to make this an annual event and add more cities across the country.  You can donate as little as $5 and be kept up to date of all events.  Donate in larger increments for guaranteed tickets to shows, your application fee waived if you are a designer, or received fabulous jewelry from Gemma Redux if you are a true patron of the LES catwalk.  To learn more or contribute, click here.

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Earth Day Style! Eco-Chic Pop-up Boutique in NYC

Cocktails, shopping and supporting indie designers with a conscience.  How's that for guilt-free style?  In tribute to Earth Month, designers Lara Miller, Ailin, Chak Chel, Moonlight, Vella Mode, Boutique Ethique, Tammam, Elena Garcia, Show Me Your Mumu and Tompkins Point are selling their ethical fashion brands in a pop-up shop in the beautiful Nexus Townhouse.  There will also be non-profit collections by Care 4 Kenya + Project Migration.  


In the spirit of style with substance, 10% of the proceeds of the boutique will be donated to the Red Cross for Japan's disaster relief.  

The Pop-up shop and cocktail event takes place April 14th, 2011 from 6 PM - 9 PM.

39 West 56th Street, 4th Floor

New York NY 10019

RSVP: GFB@amp3pr.com

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Project Runway Season 9 Casting!

This is it.  Are you ready to bring your designer 'A' game? Are you ready for catfights on AND off the runway?  Compete for fame and fortune....You know the rest...  Email the address above or check out the website for more information. 

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A Touch of Min-K - Blake Lively's Best Kept Secret

Our beloved West Coast correspondent, Mdivani Monroe came to visit NYC recently.  He got in touch with an old friend of Ms. FAB, Minji Kim, a fellow Parsons alum...  A new mother and talented designer, she has held court with a chic boutique in the East Village for years.  Mdivani gives the scoop:

"When you go to a highly competitive college, you form a special bond with those that survived it with you.  Even though years may go by and you may not even have any communication with fellow classmates, that bond somehow stays intact.  Who else can understand those all-nighters, the unrelenting work load, the ruthless competition, the intensity of the whole experience that changes your life forever.

As I was searching for new shopping venues in New York, I came across a boutique, Min-K, the brainchild of one of my former classmates at Parsons, Minji Kim.  Reminiscing on our time at school, I remembered Minji as always being super creative and for having an eye for what was hot and happening.  True to form, Minji’s boutique is the perfect place to shop for the coolest clothing and accessories in the market.  Showcasing designers from Korea, Min-K has fashion items that you won’t  find anywhere else in the city.

Due to the cutting edge style found at Min-K, it is no wonder that you have seen it’s designs on celebs like Blake Lively, Katie Holmes and many more.

When you are in New York, you have to pay a visit to Min-K and pick up a something special and original!  And if Minji is in the store, say hi for me!"

For more on the boutique and an interview with Minji, check out Mdivani's video blog here. 

Photos and Video by Ritika Wahal
Photos of Blake Lively and Katie Holmes Courtesy of Min-K

www.ladieswholunchtravel.com

December 2014 Update: Sadly, the boutique will be closing its doors in February 2015. You can stay up to date on Minji Kim's work on her website and her costume work for upcoming movies.

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