The moment we‘ve all been waiting for has finally arrived, New York Fashion Week. Where designers like Michael Kors, Tom Ford, Betsey Johnson and Nicole Miller get to present their 2012 Fall/Winter collection. But what about the up-and-coming designers? There was a point when designer Monkia Chiang was trying to get her stunning collection to the masses and now her collection is ripping the runaway in this year’s New York Fashion Week. So how does the next Donna Karan or Richard Chai get their collection noticed by buyers, journalist, stylist and showrooms? These are some of the challenges new designers face in the fashion industry.
In September of 2010 and 2011 an ambitious designer by the name Shavonne Cooper couldn’t afford to participate in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. So Shavonne took to the streets of NYC, outside of the Lincoln Center to showed her spring collection.
Shavonne Cooper's Spring/Summer 2012
Collection outside of Lincoln Center
Some designers may not be as brave as Shavonne or able to make it to Lincoln Center but thanks to Ecco Domani’s and the “Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation”. Each year this foundation gives up-and-coming designers a chance to get the recantation they desire. Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation is “dedicated to supporting the careers of aspiring fashion designers” by awarding a $25,000 grant to seven fashion designers to present a runway show at New York Fashion Week. These designers are and represent the future of fashion, and many Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winners “have gone on to have successful careers in the fashion”.
One of the seven talented winners Sunhee Hwang; who isn’t a stranger to the world of Fashion. Sunhee got her start when she was recruited by Alber Elbaz, which is now Lanvin to work for Geoffrey Beene. For 15 years she had a successful career designing for Elie Tahari and Anne Klein, while dreaming of starting her own label. The NL Collective team is eagerly anticipating the show this Valentine’s Day and cannot wait to see the Fall/Winter 2012 Sunhee collection walk down the runway accessorized by our very own Young&ng jewelry! We wish the very best to the both of them and can’t wait to hear reactions as the collections walk down the runway.
Oscar De La Renta and
Target Collaboration
Giuseppe Zanotti and Chopard
Collaboration