The second show I attended for New York Fashion Week was by a newcomer by the name of Keo. This was the debut collection from the 22 year old designer. It was by no means safe, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! The collection, dubbed “Sexy MF” after the Prince song of the same name, was inspired by the Purple One himself and the excess of the 80s, but with a modern 2011 spin. Keo is fearless and did not shy away from bright colors, lingerie, loud prints, and metallics. These clothes are not for the faint of heart, they’re designed for confident women who command your attention! This was an ambitious effort for a debut, so I can only imagine that future collections by Keo will continue to blow away her audience and critics!

Keo also used the show to raise awareness for the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and the Epilepsy Foundation of Metro New York. Keo suffers from both Lupus and Epilepsy, but don’t think that she lets these conditions hold her back. Despite numerous hospital visits and extreme fatigue, she was still able to put on an impressive debut show.

British womenswear designer, Kirsty Doyle, began selling her designs at the age of 18 at a Liverpool craft market where she quickly established a loyal following. After studying at LJMU and world-renowned Central St Martins, Kirsty established the Kirsty Doyle womenswear label in 2006 due to demand from national retailers, producing sell-out collections for six seasons before launching her flagship womenswear boutique in February 2010 as part of Liverpool ONE.

Kirsty’s sleek, sharply tailored designs feature contemporary twists, pleats and folds for a new take on classic feminine silhouettes, whilst the Kiki by Kirsty Doyle collection features a number of limited edition luxurious silk and chiffon loungewear pieces, reminiscent of Hollywood’s golden era.

-Bio via kirstydoyle.com

L.A. based designers, Carissa Simons & Lynsey Longo are introducing to the world their collective label, Ellie Lavelle in the Spring 2011 season. Ellie Lavelle is the perfect undertone of rock glam in constant articulation of confidence; feminine but tough, elegant yet edgy. Garnishing inspiration of monumental women of the past, the designers fuse Debbie Harry’s alter ego of 70′s rock n’ roll with the glamour of the 30′s icon, Veronica Lake. The line incorporates elements of raw femininity and unconventional grunge, a combination of ideas that mirror the designer’s experiences and background.

For more information on the emerging brand, visit their official website at: www.ellielavelle.com

S/S 2011 Lookbook Credits
Model: Raina Hein
Photographer: Kesler Tran
Makeup Artist: Paulo Grayson
Accessories: Jennifer Elizabeth

Christina Fan presents C/FAN Spring/Summer 2011 colllection

Christina Fan is an emerging designer who launched her line, C/FAN in the fall of 2008. C/FAN started out as a collection of basic t-shirts and winter coats but has since expanded to include: suits, dresses and separates.

C/FAN’s latest Spring/Summer 2011 collection marks the coming season with a youthful nostalgia. Fan is inspired by a memory of the fleeting period in time when a young girl just enters womanhood and all those that feel her presence are affected. It is a time of both awakening and dreams; a time which is limitless, fragile and boundless, similar to the dawn of a new day.

The spring/summer 2011 collection features the use of silks, ranging from sheer chiffons, washed silks and silk jerseys to embody the C/FAN woman, who is effortlessly and sensually moving. The color palette this season includes greys, charcoals, nudes and creams to accompany a vibrant one-of-a-kind print — inspired by an image of a luminous December dawn over Caddo Lake, an undefined territory in between Texas and Louisiana.

Bourne UK S/S by Elise Berger 2011 collection, ‘Little Seres’ – love!

Allow me to introduce to you all an extremely talented eco-couture connoisseur, Swedish based designer, Camilla Wellton.  She creates dresses, tops and outerwear that are literally out-of-this-world with such precise cuts and futuristic shapes & details that make definitely them stand-out pieces. Each piece is full of femininity, elegance and an avant-garde element that I’m sure you won’t find anywhere else. Camilla is taking her brand to the next level with the launch of her latest A/W 2010 collection entitled, The Rise.

For price-points & to shop items from Camilla Wellton, visit her official website by clicking here.

Jose Duran presented his Spring 2011 collection at an intimate space in Lincoln Center (Ten Columbus Circle) and it was certainly pleasing to the eye. The show began with top model, Sessilee Lopez strutting down the runway draped in a fiery red one shoulder dress. (Hot!) As the looks continued, the remainder of the collection was primarily full of black pieces which varied in style, cut and detailing to keep it interesting…

Yet there was a still hint with a few garments in varied colors of in a mixed palette of pale pink, purple, taupe, gray and olive.

Georgia Hardinge is an UK based fashion designer who is well on her way to becoming a household name. Georgia received her formal education at Parsons Paris School of Art and Design. She launched her self named brand in 2009. She is currently in her second collection. Take a look at the images from her A/W 2010 collection. Prepare to fall in love.

Way back when I featured a young fashion designer from my hometown, Baltimore, by the name of Bishme Cromartie under my Designer Dish posts. Since I’ve discovered him on Myspace a few years ago, he’s continued to blossom as a designer and continues to amaze me with his work and presentation for his Ying Edge brand. I recently came across his new spring collection, the “Insect” Collection – pretty self explanatory. It’s nothing short of amazing. He is definitely one to watch. New York Fashion Week has his name all over it. Mark my words.

Sessilee Lopez is the face of LaQuan Smith’s A/W 2010 Collection

If you’re not familiar with LaQuan Smith and his work darlings, now is the time to get familiar before he gets too big. The young New York based designer recently received praises from Sir Andre Leon Talley back in February at the intimate showing of his Fall 2010 collection during New York Fashion Week. The stunning collection is now brought to life by the ever so ah-mazing Sessilee Lopez. She is giving me major face hunny! And the hair and makeup love, love, love! The dresses are to die for. I evidently need to get back in the gym. Do you love?

Photographer: Itaysha Jordan | Makeup Artist: Paul Innis | Hair: Dante Blandshaw