Our design entrepreneurs had a strong presence at New York Fashion Week. From showing at Lincoln Center to the piers and all over the city, their spring collections were wonderful. We weren’t the only ones that noticed their talent. Take a look at just some of the clippings!
Sarah Canner featured on CrainsNewYork.com
Suzanne Rae featured on Ecouterre.com
Parke & Ronen featured on GQ.com
Soham Dave featured on EcoSalon.com
Marlon Gobel featured on GQ.com
We had a chance to sit down with Katerina Lankova, one of our design entrepreneurs to learn more about STEE-LETAS, a fun, legwear label that keeps ladies in style below the knee!
Can you tell us about your brand?
STEE-LETAS is a different kind of legwear that can serve as a substitute for boots, and keep you warm and protected from the weather. They are highly fashionable and you will be noticed once you put them on! You’ll probably also get asked questions about what they are when you wear them!
They are a great accessory between the seasons too. You can wear them when it’s cold or warm because they are made out of many different materials such as lace, leather and anything in between.
Sunghee Bang Spring/Summer 2013
Here’s our latest chat with design entrepreneur Sunghee Bang. She describes her brand as a beautiful, quality label with an element of surprise that is for women who enjoy the luxury feel of knitwear and strong craftsmanship.
How long have you been designing? I have been designing my line for 3 years.
You started you line after attending FIT. Did you work for McQueen before or after school? I interned for Alexander McQueen right before my senior year. It was my last summer break in my life, so I wanted to experience something special. In 2008, I designed the Eiffel Tower and coil body prints for his Spring 2009 collection. Working in London with Alexander McQueen provided me with an entirely different perspective on fashion. McQueen’s approach to design showed me that there is no one-way to design.
Sunghee Bang Spring/Summer 2013
What’s your inspiration for spring/summer 13?
This season is all about sporty, versatile and easy-to-wear knits. The collection consists of minimized silhouettes with unusual twists such as combining stripes and flower prints with shiny and matte textures, creating asymmetrical silhouettes with un-matched seams along with tailored woven and soft knit shapes.
Using unique techniques and playing with perforated textures, I created 54 pieces that worked together to harmonize various ideas.
Aurija Petraityte, designer for Accessoir at her midtown showroom
We went to visit Aurija Petraityte, one of our designer entrepreneurs at her Midtown showroom to learn a bit more about her label Accessoir. Just three years old, the brand is split between two labels: Figaro and Fuse, her latest venture.
Aurija studied at FIT and Kaunas University of Technology in Lithuania. After school, she worked for a mass market handbag company and got a handle on the business. She decided to try it for herself and has been able to develop strong relationships with major retailers like Ross and smaller mass chains across the country.
Each season, she produces about 100 styles and updates her best sellers with new features. She spends 2-3 times a year in China to work on her designs with her factory and oversees production, sourcing and quality control.
Learn more about this New York based label at Accessoir.
Tirana Jewelry
Instagram has been on the rise for some time. When it became available on Android this April, the craze got even bigger with over 10 million user signups in 10 days reports American Express Open Forum in a story on why brands should be on Instagram. Oh, and yes, there was the Facebook acquisition for $1 billion dollars too.
Our smart and savvy designers have made their way onto Instagram with some product pics and behind the scenes shots. Here’s what they have going on:
Between The Sheets Lingerie
Adam Sirak
Parke and Jessy at PROJECT
Three of our designers spent last week at MAGIC, the tradeshow that’s held in Las Vegas twice a year. We were out there to support our Design Entrepreneurs and see them in action!
Recollection by Sandra Murphy and Anjelika Krisna-Daftau of A.D.O. were two out of 10 designers that were selected to participate in the Launchpad Emerging Designers Showcase, an initiative sponsored by Fashion Business Incorporated, Balluun and Global Purchasing Agencies that gave up-and-coming designers prime real estate on the show floor and exposure to buyers, press and industry resources.
Parke & Ronen were at PROJECT introducing their latest sportswear and swim collections.
Anjelika and Sandra at Launchpad
Marlon Gobel featured on Kred.com, the new tool that measures online influence
Helen Sanches featured on Lingerie Briefs
Mimi Plange featured on the T Magazine's Blog
Parke & Ronen featured in Women's Wear Daily.
Sarah Carson Cloud, Founder of Leota New York, the womenswear label that designs refreshing ladylike silhouettes for a touch of everyday wearable glamour gave us the scoop on her spring/summer 2013 collection and threw in some fun facts too!
Tells us about your spring 2013 collection?
With every collection, I make dresses that instill just a bit of unexpected delight into our daily routines. For spring 2013, I was inspired by a photograph of Grace Kelly strolling along the beaches of Monaco. I used rich aquatic blues, bright floral prints and warm colors to evoke the feeling a blissful seaside vacation.
What inspires you?
My great-grandmother Leota (the brand’s namesake) is a huge inspiration. Her heyday was the 50’s, and she got dressed as if every day was a special occasion. A lot of my inspiration comes from old family photos and mid-century screen sirens. My dresses evoke that classic glamour without requiring a girdle!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Good manners go a long way towards building lasting relationships. At the Leota studio we always say that good manners and everyday glamour never go out of style. My team and I walk that walk every day.
What direction do you see women’s fashion moving in for the upcoming seasons?
Women will always want clothes that feel chic without sacrificing comfort. Our lives are getting busier, so versatility will continue to be important. Every season we keep the line fresh with a new collection of prints in iconic silhouettes. Styles like our faux wrap and reversible dresses, show that fashion can be simple and elegant, timely and timeless, which is what we all want.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I have a black belt in Kung Fu. I took a year off in college to train and compete in the World Tournament, and won a few U.S. and European Titles. Martial Arts is about hitting the mat and getting back up to try again. It was the best preparation for my life as a business owner and for learning how to turn obstacles into opportunity.
Check out the label at Leota New York.
Marlon Gobel, our dapper, charming and talented menswear designer will be presenting his spring/summer 2013 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Saturday, September 8 at 2pm. His short film, “The Stars,” is the ultimate runway show teaser. Watch, listen and get ready!
Learn more about our Design Entrepreneur at MARLON GOBEL.
You’re invited to celebrate the launch of Suzanne Rae’s fall/winter 2012 collection at the Steven Alan retail store in Chelsea. A D.J. set by Whitney Fierce Hercules and Love Affair will kick off the night and shoppers will receive a 10% discount on the collection.
Suzanne, a Brooklyn-based womenswear designer and DENYC participant, keen on empowering women through her well-fitting blouses, pants and dresses, gave us the scoop on what’s ahead.
Can you tell us about your fall/winter 2012 collection?
The collection is inspired by the internal revolution channeling the spirits of Jim Morrison, Aldous Huxley and William Blake. Poetic and rock-n-roll, the
collection is fueled by a quest for knowledge and heightened consciousness.
You’ll see hand-screened prints designed to connect with the natural world through wood and fur inspired prints created by artist Sam Dakota. Dresses and gowns, jacket and capes, as well as separates come in bold silhouettes in rich velvets and wools to add depth the the collection.
Learn more about the label at Suzanne Rae and rsvp to rsvp@statepr.com.
Suzanne Rae Fall/Winter 2012 Preview
August 22 from 7-9pm
Steven Alan
140 10th Avenue, NYC
(between 18th & 19th)