Meet 12 Designers Making Their New York Fashion Week Debuts:
Each season, the New York Fashion Week calendar introduces a
few new names. And while you might be more excited to see the fall '15 collections of labels you already know and love, there are a few new ones worth paying attention to.
Read on to get to know 13 designers who will be showing for the first time this Fashion Week. One or two of them might just wind up being the next big thing.
Brock Collection
A look from Brock Collection's spring 2015 collection. Photo: Brock Collection
Friends from Parsons, Laura Vassar and Kristopher Brock launched Brock Collection in 2013. Brock's background is in tailoring (he started sewing at age six), while Vassar went into styling after a stint at Theyskens' Theory. Together, they create well-crafted, luxurious clothing that looks effortlessly wearable.
Ji Oh
A look from the Ji Oh spring 2015 collection. Photo: Ji Oh
After studying at both Central St. Martin's and Parsons, Korean-born Ji Oh worked as a stylist, then as creative director of Shadow Connected. She launched her namesake line just last year and it's already stocked in Barneys, Intermix, The Webster and Harvey Nichols, among others, and was just nominated for an FGI Rising Star award for womenswear. She's honed in on a pared down, yet still unique, aesthetic that will be interesting to see develop.
Banana Republic
A look from Banana Republic's summer 2015 collection. Photo: Banana Republic
We all know Banana Republic, but we're still just getting to know the updated, more fashion-y Banana Republic being developed by Creative Director Marissa Webb. We're keen to see what she does to put the mall brand into a fashion week context.
Kanye West
Kanye West in Kanye West x Adidas. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
When Kanye West isn't defending Beyoncé's artistry, he's often taking some sort of stab at fashion design. His latest project, to be unveiled Feb. 12, is a collection for Adidas, which he gave us a sneak peek of at the Grammys. While he's held fashion week events in Paris before, this will be his first time showing in New York.
Rotten Roach
Photo: Rotten Roach
Rotten Roach is a London-based T-shirt line started by Marissa Montgomery and Victoria Brooks. The label is known for witty slogans, on which they often collaborate with Hugo Guinness, and for being worn frequently by just about every British It girl from Cara Delevingne to Kate Moss. This week, it launches stateside with a party co-hosted by Fivestory.
Gabriela Cadena
Josephine Skriver in Gabriela Cadena. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Ecuador-born Gabriela Cadena splits her time between New York and Miami, designing sexy, glamorous, red carpet-ready but not over the top dresses, worn by everyone from Shakira to Lupita Nyong'o to Gigi Hadid.
Astrid Andersen
A look from Astrid Andersen's fall 2015 menswear collection. Photo: Imaxtree
London-based, Danish-born menswear designer Astrid Andersen is definitely part of London's new guard of menswear talent. Her quirky aethletic-inspired clothing is sold by the likes of Opening Ceremony and Vfiles, and she'll show a new bespoke collection as part of Made Fashion Week.
Bobby Abley
A look from the Bobby Abley spring 2015 collection. Photo: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images
Also part of this season's British invasion at Made Fashion Week, Bobby Abley incorporates nostalgic, playful imagery into contemporary menswear. He often shows as part of the Man show at London: Collections Men, an initiative hosted by Topman and Fashion East.
Thaddeus O'Neil
A look from the Thaddeus O'Neil's spring 2015 collection. Photo: Albert Urso/Getty Images
From its own bio: "Thaddeus O’Neil is a menswear label of American luxury playwear for après surf inspired by the hobos of the sea." O'Neil's pastimes, other than designing, include surfing, writing and photography -- he once assisted Bruce Weber, whom he now considers his mentor. The colorful, comfortable line officially launched in spring 2014, and is sold in Ron Herman, Saks and Isetan in Japan.
Ready to Fish
A look from Ready to Fish's spring 2015 collection. Photo: Ready to Fish
Oddly named Ready to Fish is a women's ready-to-wear line that is part of Ilja Visser Group, a Dutch fashion house based in Amsterdam, and hinges on simple, modern silhouettes.
Thomas Wylde Maison
From Thomas Wylde's spring 2015 campaign. Photo: Thomas Wylde
British-born, Los Angeles based industry vet Paula Thomas launched Thomas Wylde, a luxury ready-to-wear and accessories business, back in 2006. The brand's first runway show, marking the launch of Thomas Wylde Maison, will take place this week at Lincoln Center. The label has been worn by the likes of Angelina Jolie and Madonna, and recently opened its first store in L.A.
Ranfan
A look from the Ranfan spring 2015 collection. Photo: Ranfan
Ran Fan started her line after graduating from Central St. Martins in 2008, where she was awarded first place for her graduate collection. Based in China, she'll show in New York for the first time at Lincoln Center.
Protagonist
A look from the Protagonist spring 2015 collection. Photo: Protagonist
Launched in 2014 exclusively with The Line and now sold at Barneys as well, Protagonist is already off to a good start without ever having shown during fashion week. Known for a cool, minimalist aesthetic, designer Kate Wendelborn's refreshingly versatile wardrobe staples have already won over much of the industry.
