After watching & loving the film, Seamless, which documents the first CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award nominees and winners in 2004, I have enjoyed keeping a close eye on the competition every year since. Past winners & runners-up include Proenza Schouler, Travota, Derek Lam, Doo Ri, Rodarte, Thakoon, Rogan, and Phillip Lim.
Checkout the 2008 finalists below, the winner and two runners-up will be announced on November 17th.
Who are your picks?
Who are your picks?
1. Albertus Quartus - Albertus Q. Swanepoel
Swanepoel is a South Africa-born milliner who has designed hats for the likes of Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Erin Fetherston, Caronlina Herrera, and Peter Som. In 2006 he started his own collection for women, which sells at Barneys in New York, Louis in Boston, American Rag in Japan, En Suite in Russia, and other high end boutiques throughout the US. He also has a men's collection that sells at Paul Smith and Odin in NYC. He draws his inspiration from the various cultures and buildings in NYC, the opera, and his native South Africa.
2. Alejandro Ingelmo - Alejandro Ingelmo
Ingelmo is a Parsons educated, New York based shoe and accessory designer. His first women's shoe collection debuted for the Fall/Winter 2006 season. Since then, he has launched a men's shoe collection, which includes trainers, dress shoes, as well as small leather goods and bags. His signature style encompasses the sexy allure of his Cuban-influenced heritage and a powerfully directional New York edge.
3. Alexander Wang - Alexander Wang
Born and raised in San Francisco, California, Wang moved to NYC at 18 to attend Parsons Design School. He designed his first collection by his sophomore year, which consisted primarily of knits. He launched his full women's collection in 2007, which sold internationally to over 150 boutiques and retail stores.
"Anyone can get all dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their off days that is the most intriguing."
4. Irene Neuwirth - Irene Neuwirth
Founded in 2000, Irene Neuwirth's jewelry designs are recognized by their uniquely modern and sophisticated designs in 18 karat gold and a wide variety of unusual gemstones. She received the Town and Country Couture Design Editor's Choice Award in 2006.
5. Jason Wu - Jason Wu
Born in Taipei, Wu has lived in Vacouver, Paris, and Tokyo and he attended the Parsons School of Design and interned with Narcisco Rodriguez. Jason Wu combines modern evening dressing with the spirit and detailing of haute couture. Influenced by the classic photography of Richard Avedon and the collections of Charles James and Jacques Fath, Wu's collection aims to revitalize the art and perfection of dressing with a relaxed and youthful attitude. His collection debuted in February 2006 and is now carried at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Ultimo, and Holt Renfrew.
6. Juan Carlos Obando - Juan Carlos Obando
A native of Baranquilla, Colombia, Obando attended the University of Miami where he transformed himself from an art student to one of the most sought-after art directors. His two major influences are photographic legend Helmut Newton and Alfred Hitchcock. After years of working with advertising powerhouses he decided to create his own fashion company in 2003, Bureau Beaute, LLC, which houses the Juan Carlos Obando label. He debuted his first collection at Los Angeles Fashion week in 2004.
7. Obedient Sons & Daughters - Swaim & Christina Hutson
Swaim started a T-shirt brand called Obedient Sons in San Francisco then he met Christina on a trip to NYC and fell in love. He moved to NYC and they started working together to transform Obedient Sons into a tailored collection in 2006. They then launched their woman's collection called Daughters.
8. Organic - John Patrick
Patrick lives in the Hudson River Valley, which inspires him to think and wonder about the elements of nature, art, fantasy, and fashion. His heroes are Thomas Cole, the founder of the Hudson River School of Painting, and his most famous student, Fredrick Church. John Patrick spends a lot of his time traveling to the jungles of South America to source the certified organic textiles he uses in his collections.
"I envision a world in the near future where people won't ask 'is it organic?' but say 'of course, it's organic!"
9. Richard Chai - Richard Chai
Chai jumped into the fashion spotlight when he helped launch the Marc by Marc Jacobs line and was awarded the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award. He then moved to Creative Director at TSE, where he helped take the fashion house beyond the basic cardigan. In 2004, he launched his own line, which has received great praise and acclaim.
10. Vena Cava - Lisa Mayock & Sophie Buhai
Lisa is from South Pasadena and Sophie is from Los Angeles. They both moved to NY in 1999 to attend Parsons School of Design. Three weeks after graduation, in 2003, the pair created the first Vena Cava collection. Their designs are now carried by Barneys and other high-end boutiques and retail stores across the US.
Swanepoel is a South Africa-born milliner who has designed hats for the likes of Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Erin Fetherston, Caronlina Herrera, and Peter Som. In 2006 he started his own collection for women, which sells at Barneys in New York, Louis in Boston, American Rag in Japan, En Suite in Russia, and other high end boutiques throughout the US. He also has a men's collection that sells at Paul Smith and Odin in NYC. He draws his inspiration from the various cultures and buildings in NYC, the opera, and his native South Africa.2. Alejandro Ingelmo - Alejandro Ingelmo
Ingelmo is a Parsons educated, New York based shoe and accessory designer. His first women's shoe collection debuted for the Fall/Winter 2006 season. Since then, he has launched a men's shoe collection, which includes trainers, dress shoes, as well as small leather goods and bags. His signature style encompasses the sexy allure of his Cuban-influenced heritage and a powerfully directional New York edge.3. Alexander Wang - Alexander Wang
Born and raised in San Francisco, California, Wang moved to NYC at 18 to attend Parsons Design School. He designed his first collection by his sophomore year, which consisted primarily of knits. He launched his full women's collection in 2007, which sold internationally to over 150 boutiques and retail stores."Anyone can get all dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their off days that is the most intriguing."
4. Irene Neuwirth - Irene Neuwirth
Founded in 2000, Irene Neuwirth's jewelry designs are recognized by their uniquely modern and sophisticated designs in 18 karat gold and a wide variety of unusual gemstones. She received the Town and Country Couture Design Editor's Choice Award in 2006.5. Jason Wu - Jason Wu
Born in Taipei, Wu has lived in Vacouver, Paris, and Tokyo and he attended the Parsons School of Design and interned with Narcisco Rodriguez. Jason Wu combines modern evening dressing with the spirit and detailing of haute couture. Influenced by the classic photography of Richard Avedon and the collections of Charles James and Jacques Fath, Wu's collection aims to revitalize the art and perfection of dressing with a relaxed and youthful attitude. His collection debuted in February 2006 and is now carried at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Ultimo, and Holt Renfrew.6. Juan Carlos Obando - Juan Carlos Obando
A native of Baranquilla, Colombia, Obando attended the University of Miami where he transformed himself from an art student to one of the most sought-after art directors. His two major influences are photographic legend Helmut Newton and Alfred Hitchcock. After years of working with advertising powerhouses he decided to create his own fashion company in 2003, Bureau Beaute, LLC, which houses the Juan Carlos Obando label. He debuted his first collection at Los Angeles Fashion week in 2004.7. Obedient Sons & Daughters - Swaim & Christina Hutson
Swaim started a T-shirt brand called Obedient Sons in San Francisco then he met Christina on a trip to NYC and fell in love. He moved to NYC and they started working together to transform Obedient Sons into a tailored collection in 2006. They then launched their woman's collection called Daughters.8. Organic - John Patrick
Patrick lives in the Hudson River Valley, which inspires him to think and wonder about the elements of nature, art, fantasy, and fashion. His heroes are Thomas Cole, the founder of the Hudson River School of Painting, and his most famous student, Fredrick Church. John Patrick spends a lot of his time traveling to the jungles of South America to source the certified organic textiles he uses in his collections."I envision a world in the near future where people won't ask 'is it organic?' but say 'of course, it's organic!"
9. Richard Chai - Richard Chai
Chai jumped into the fashion spotlight when he helped launch the Marc by Marc Jacobs line and was awarded the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award. He then moved to Creative Director at TSE, where he helped take the fashion house beyond the basic cardigan. In 2004, he launched his own line, which has received great praise and acclaim.10. Vena Cava - Lisa Mayock & Sophie Buhai
Lisa is from South Pasadena and Sophie is from Los Angeles. They both moved to NY in 1999 to attend Parsons School of Design. Three weeks after graduation, in 2003, the pair created the first Vena Cava collection. Their designs are now carried by Barneys and other high-end boutiques and retail stores across the US.
1 comment:
Thanks for good words.
RichardChai.
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