Gear Up for New York Fashion Week By Getting To Know These 8 Designers
Are you ready for the soirees and runway shows in line with New York Fashion Week? As events reopen, NYFW has moved to a hybrid setup – both in-person and online – making it accessible to all fashionistas. Fashion Week will run from February 11-16, 2022. Below, we’ve listed eight talented designers you need to know ahead of the exciting event.
See more: The Ultimate New York Fashion Week Survival Kit, Curated by Leading Style Influencer
LaQuan Smith
Heading into his fifth NYFW appearance, Smith has gained praise for his distinctive designs and intricate details. Since his debut in 2013, Smith has created a dynamic clientele that travels the globe from Lagos to London. His work has garnered the interest of fashion icons and risk-takers like Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and Rihanna, who were some of his earliest supporters. - Olivia Johnson
Sergio Hudson
Sergio Hudson has designed exquisite pieces for First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Amal Clooney, and other A-list celebrities. Hudson starred on Bravo’s Styled to Rock in 2013 and won the design competition when Rihanna chose his final designs as the winner. Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Hudson knew he wanted to be a designer from a very young age. Much of his inspiration stems from his mother being a tailor and his sister being a model. Hudson balances between both timeless classics and statement pieces. - Nicole Choma
Naeem Khan
Known for his elaborate and complex designs, Khan’s gowns have been seen on First Lady Michelle Obama, Queen Noor of Jordan, and Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine. Khan grew up surrounded by culture, architecture, art, history, and design. As a child, he learned about various textiles from his grandfather. Learning about fabrics coupled with his Indian heritage has inspired the unique aesthetic that’s made him renowned in the fashion world. - Olivia Johnson
Kevan Hall
Kevan Hall is celebrated for his elegant couture designs and for being the creative director for Halston from 1997 to 2000. Aside from Halston, Hall himself has designed for notable names such as Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, and Michelle Obama. In 1983, Hall founded his couture label and sold his work to retailers including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman. Hall carries multiple honors, receiving the Great American Designer Award in 1989 from the NAACP, Stylemaker of the Year in 2005 from Life & Style, and more. - Nicole Choma
Son Jung Wan
A 20-year Fashion Week vet, Son Jung Wan’s designs have graced the runways since 2011. Wan is known for her bold and colorful designs. She opened her first boutique in 1986, and by 2010 was running 37 shops simultaneously in Korea and around the world. Her work is not only loved by the fashion world, but she’s also amassed celebrity admirers, including Kelly Rutherford and Brooke Shields. - Olivia Johnson
Frederick Anderson
Frederick Anderson has been making clothes since he was a child. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York, he and fellow alumni Doulas Hannant started the company, Anderson Hannant. For years he worked with Hannant to make exclusive fashion lines that graced racks of Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and more.
His namesake Frederick Anderson Collection continues to create vibrant and intricate designs that earn the praise of the fashion industry. His collections are known to include elegant, modern, and simple silhouettes. "I think style is your conversation with the world,” Anderson said in an interview with Mallorca Fashion Week. - Olivia Johnson
Elena Velez
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with Puerto Rican Heritage, Elena Velez’s designs are inspired by deconstruction and the rustbelt of the Midwest. Velez has dressed celebrities such as Grimes, Charli XCX, Tinashe, Rico Nasty, and more. She describes her work as “aggressively delicate,” with many pieces incorporating salvaged fabrics. Velez’s work questions the fashion industry by prioritizing functionality and utility into her garments over their aesthetic and beauty. Velez encourages an authentic design process that consists of the culture of the geographic region where she secures her materials. - Nicole Choma
Bibhu Mohapatra
Mohapatra grew up on the east coast of India in Odisha. His colorful inspiration largely stems from his appreciation for Indian fabrics. In 1996, Mohapatra moved to the U.S. to pursue his master’s in economics from Utah State University. Upon graduating, Mohapatra moved to New York in 1999 and enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology. While in school, Mohapatra was an assistant designer at Halston. After making waves as design director for J. Mendel for nine years, he left the company to pursue his own collection. Mohapatra launched his first collection at NYFW in 2009. In addition to carrying his work at various retailers, he’s had the privilege of working with Lupita Nyong’o, Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, and more. In 2016, Mohapatra expanded his brand by launching his first jewelry collection, Artemis. - Nicole Choma
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